But did you know toxins are hiding inside the seed (Pit) of most drupes? It’s called “amygdalin”, a toxin that converts to cyanide when ingested. However, a pit swallowed whole without crushing or grinding can usually pass through the body without harm.

And just in case you didn’t know, Cyanide poisoning can cause nausea, fever, headaches, insomnia, thirst, weakness, nervousness, joint and muscle aches and pains, and falling blood pressure. Yes, in extreme cases it’s fatal.   

While Studies indicate 0.5 to 3.5 milligrams (mg) of cyanide per kilogram of body weight can be lethal, The European Food Safety Authority’s (EFSA) Scientific Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain set a safe level at 20 microgram’s (one millionth of a gram) per kilogram of body weight－ 25 times below the lowest reported lethal dose.

Sooo, is there any know reason to grind or crush a Drupe pit to powder and consume it?

As far back as 1845, folks in Russia consumed Crushed Drupe pits as a treatment for Cancer. By the 1920s the practice was commonplace within the United States.  However, a 2023 review by the National Library of Medicine of Bethesda, MD, concluded that though some research supports the consumption of amygdalin’s (the toxic byproduct of Drupe pits), for the treatment of Cancer, there are not enough credible scientific studies to prove it has constructive anticancer benefits.

Bottom Line, the negative Side Effects of Drupe pits such as the Apricot pit or the Cherry Pit are many:  For example, after eating a single crushed Apricot kernel or chewing a tiny Cherry pit, it’s likely you will at best experience mild cyanide toxicity. The milder symptoms of cyanide toxicity include headache, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.  The more serious side effects of cyanide poisoning can result in or cause Neuropathy which is a general term for nerve damage that can cause pain, tingling, numbness, weakness, or swelling of the body.

On-the-other-hand, speaking of the Apricot Drupe, when dried they have a long list of health benefits, from improving eye health to potentially lowering blood pressure. They’ve been described as the miracle dried fruit, sorry, Drupe! They’re good for treating indigestion, constipation, anemia, skin diseases, earaches and fever. This fruit also provides relief for strained muscles, wounds and improves heart health. It is considered good for skincare and that’s why it’s added to various cosmetic products.

Furthermore, as implied above, apricot sharpens the vision, helps with weight loss, treats respiratory problems, boosts bone mass, reduces cholesterol and maintains the electrolytes within your body.

That being said, because they’re so tasty they’re easy to over-consume – so try to keep your intake to 4 to 5 dried apricot halves every day while keeping in mind that a cup of Dried Apricot halves can contain as many as 212 calories! 4 to 5 halves a day provides a good balance of natural sugars and nutrients without significantly impacting blood sugar levels.  

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