The almond is the seed that is found inside the apricot kernel. Fans of homemade jams know that it is advisable to add them when cooking fruit to obtain a better jam. But if this gesture is without danger for health, the consumption of apricot kernels in large quantities exposes to a risk of cyanide poisoning, recalls the National Food Security Agency (ANSES).
Apricot kernels contain a significant amount of amygdalin, a naturally occurring compound that converts to highly toxic cyanide during digestion. ANSES therefore recalls that one should not consume more than 1 to 3 almonds per day for adults and half of a small almond for young children. A high dose of these almonds can indeed lead to signs of acute poisoning such as:
- convulsions
- respiratory problems
- decreased heart rate
- loss of consciousness
- a coma.
So far, none of these severe symptoms have been reported to health authorities. But as part of the pharmacovigilance system, several cases of intoxication with dizziness, discomfort, headache, digestive disorders, heart palpitations, or respiratory discomfort, have been reported. Cases mainly due to the consumption of apricot kernels marketed as a food for fight cancer. Gold “To date, there is no scientific proof of their interest in the curative or preventive treatment of cancer” insists ANSES.
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