Cherry pits

[Snicker Bar]

I've read that some seeds or pits in fruit are not safe...what about red, white, or black cherries?? Thanks!

[Nancy in New York]

I've read that some seeds or pits in fruit are not safe...what about red, white, or black cherries?? Thanks!

I've read on the board cherry pits are toxic. :nono


No pits from stone fruit - cherries, peaches, plums, nectarines, etc., for squirrel or human. They contain cyanide. You or I would have to eat a pile of them to get sick but little critters would only need a few. Pit the cherries!

A post that Bravo made in 2009:

Yes, Apple Seeds and Cherry Pits are Poisonous

In fact, if you eat enough apple seeds or cherry pits, you could die. Apple seeds contain cyanogenic acids. Cherry pits, and seeds from related fruits, including peaches, plums, almonds, pears, and apricots, contain cyanogenic glycosides. Your body can detoxify small quantities of cyanide compounds. If you accidentally eat a cherry pit in a pie or swallow an apple seed or two, you'll be fine. Actually, if you swallow several seeds whole, you would absorb a minimal amount of the toxic compounds. Chewing the seeds makes them much more hazardous to your health. Children and pets are much more likely to suffer poisoning from eating the seeds than adults.

Symptoms of mild poisoning include headache, dizziness, confusion, anxiety, and vomiting. Larger doses can lead to difficulty breathing, increased blood pressure and heart rate, and kidney failure. Reactions can include coma, convulsions, and death from respiratory arrest. There are several treatment options, but the main thing is to limit the absorption of the chemicals from the seeds. Basically, this means it's important to seek immediate medical attention if a child or pet is known to have eaten several seeds. Usually, the plan of action is to pump the stomach or induce vomiting. Antidotes are available, but they are somewhat controversial. If you or someone you know eats a seed or two, don't worry... as I said, your body is well-equipped to detoxify small quantities of cyanide compounds. They naturally occur in several foods. However, if you were wondering whether or not it's true that the seeds and pits are toxic and potentially lethal... yes, apple seeds and cherry pits are poisonous.

[Diggie's Friend]

Well done! This is why buying the frozen depitted cherries isn't a good idea, as the packages note "May contain pit fragments."

Cyanide compound is also found in bitter almonds. Cyanocobalamin, a form of Vitamin B-12, also has some cyanide in it, though not highly toxic. When metabolized in the body this form releases it into the system.

http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/99-vitamin-b12-market-contains-cyanide

[Snicker Bar]

Wow! I almost didn't even ask... so glad did! I remembered that they say here avocado pit are toxic... well we won't be feeding these, or ANY fruit seeds 😬 We were given s huge gift of fresh fruits and veggies just yesterday, and those cherries looked like a fresh, new treat to try... will pass , thank you so much for info.; kind of surprising how many organic, yet toxic things are all around us :(

[Diggie's Friend]

Just make sure you remove the pit from theh cherry whole carefully so that no fragments are included, and do not overfeed by amount. A variety of fruits makes for a healthy diet.

[Nancy in New York]

Wow! I almost didn't even ask... so glad did! I remembered that they say here avocado pit are toxic... well we won't be feeding these, or ANY fruit seeds 😬 We were given s huge gift of fresh fruits and veggies just yesterday, and those cherries looked like a fresh, new treat to try... will pass , thank you so much for info.; kind of surprising how many organic, yet toxic things are all around us :(

Remember the avocado skin is also toxic.

[Snicker Bar]

Thanks for all the info. ; I usually cut the skins off apples and pears out of fear from the avocado's bad reputation .... but they beg for it more than any other treat! I'll try a small piece of cherry with them this morning; if not a hit, the bag is going to the break room at work!