Can you get poison from eating almonds?
Certain varieties are known to increase the likelihood of food poisoning, and possibly even your risk of diseases like cancer.Others are not suitable for human consumption.
The article reviews the different types of almonds and which ones are best avoided.
Bitter almonds and sweet almonds are very similar and can be divided into two major species.
Almonds have a nutty flavor and are usually found in almond-based products, such as nougat or marzipan.
Almonds have a bitter flavor.This type grows in the wild and is used to make bitter almond pastes or extracts.They aren't usually found in grocery stores.
Until a few thousand years ago, bitter almonds were the most common type of almonds grown.
The domestication of the almond tree allowed for the rise of sweet almonds.
There is a toxin in bitter almonds.Hydrogen cyanide is a toxic compound that can cause death when eaten.
According to case studies, swallowing 6–10 raw bitter almonds is enough to cause serious poisoning in the average adult, while 50 or more can cause death.Smaller numbers are likely to have the same effects on children and young adults.
During heat processing, hydrogen cyanide appears to leave the almonds.Baking, microwaving, and boiling reduce the cyanide content of bitter almonds.
More studies are needed to confirm the findings, as well as to determine the exact amount of heat-processed bitter almonds that are considered safe to eat.
The content of amygdalin in sweet almonds is up to 1,000 times lower than in bitter almonds.Small amounts of amygdalin are not enough to make hydrogen cyanide.
Almonds can be bitter or sweet.Toxic compounds in bitter almonds can cause poisoning and death.More research is needed to confirm the safety of heat-processed bitter almonds.
Almonds are rich in vitamins and can help your body absorb them.The downside is that sprouted nuts and seeds are more likely to be contaminated with harmful bacteria.
Research shows that nut butters made from sprouted nuts increase your risk of food poisoning.People with compromised immune systems may benefit from avoiding them.
Toxic molds can be found in peanuts and tree nuts.
These molds produce mycotoxins, which are toxic compounds linked to various health problems.
Compared to roasted and salted nuts, raw unsalted nuts appear to have more mold contamination.Researchers believe that the high temperatures used during roasting, as well as the lower moisture content caused by the addition of salt, are to blame for this.
The maximum levels of mycotoxins are set by the FDA and the European Food Safety Authority.
Check to see if a regulatory body has established safe levels for almonds in your part of the world.Stick to roasted or salted varieties to reduce your risk.
Eating sprouted almonds and products derived from them can increase your risk of food poisoning.Most countries make sure almonds don't exceed safe levels.
Almonds are typically found in supermarkets and are considered safe to eat.People with compromised immune systems may want to avoid sprouted sweet almonds in order to reduce their risk of food poisoning.
Bitter almonds contain a toxin that your body breaks down into a compound that can cause poisoning and even death.Almonds that are raw should not be eaten.
It is possible to make bitter almonds safer to eat by boiling, roasting, or microwaving them.More research is needed to confirm this.
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