Extremely Toxic Fruits That Can Kill You 

When it comes to toxicity and lethality, fruits are the last to come to mind. In fact, many fruits are delicious and widely sought after. However, a handful of fruits and their seeds contain chemicals and toxins that can make you seriously sick. Some of these toxins may just leave you with a bad stomach, while others can kill you within a few short hours. Of the many types of fruits, the following four are some that you definitely need to avoid.

Jatropha Fruit

The Jatropha curcas is an evergreen plant that is found predominantly in Southern India. Though all parts of the plant are considered too toxic for human consumption, traditional medicine prescribes the seeds of the plant as a treatment for cramps, constipation and cold sweats. However, the plant, especially the seeds, contain harmful chemicals such as ricin, cyanic acid and curcin. These chemicals can cause adverse effects such as vomiting and diarrhoea within 15 minutes of consumption. Ingesting large quantities of the seeds can result in cardiotoxicity – which means it can cause damage to the heart muscles, possibly causing a fatality.

Apricots

Apricots are popular fruits which are used to make jams and jellies. The fleshy part is safe and edible; however, the stone or the pit contains a poisonous compound called amygdalin. This compound, once ingested, turns to hydrogen cyanide. The symptoms include fever, nausea, lethargy, insomnia and low blood pressure. Interestingly, apricot kernels (seeds) were once sold as a snack in health-food stores. In 1993, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets tested two samples of 220 grams each. They found that if each packet was consumed entirely, the seeds contained almost double the minimum lethal dosage for an adult. Unsurprisingly, the product was soon recalled from stores. The stones or the pits are incredibly tough and hence, accidental poisoning is highly improbable.

Cherries

Cherries and apricots fall under the genus Prunus. Hence, cherries also have a stone-like seed that contains amygdalin, which breaks down into hydrogen cyanide inside the body. Symptoms of consuming excessive quantities of cherry seeds include headaches, stomach cramps and nausea. If the symptoms are left untreated, it can lead to respiratory failure, cardiac arrest and eventually death.

Ackee Fruit

Ackee is the national fruit of Jamaica and is a popular dish as it is considered quite delicious when ripe and properly cooked. It is also a rich source of vitamin C and other vital nutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates. However, unripe ackee fruits contain a very toxic chemical called hypoglycin which can lead to a condition called the Jamaican vomiting sickness. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort followed by nausea and vomiting. If left untreated, the individual may develop seizures and coma, eventually leading to death. The problem only persists if an unripe ackee fruit is consumed. 

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