Bitter almond is poisonous, and the tip and skin of bitter almond contain toxic components of hydrocyanic acid. There is a toxic component called cyanoside in raw almonds, which can release the highly toxic component hydrocyanic acid after hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrocyanic acid can be quickly absorbed and then enter the blood circulation, acting on cells in various parts of the human body, making cells unable to breathe normally and tissues generally lack oxygen. Hydrocyanic acid acts on respiratory and cardiovascular centers, which will lead to paralysis and death of these centers. Moreover, due to the toxicity of hydrocyanic acid, some teenagers will be poisoned even if they eat one occasionally out of curiosity. Poisoning of bitter almond usually begins at about 1 hour after eating, and the main manifestations are neurotoxic symptoms. Vomiting, nausea and headache at first; Followed by palpitations, chest tightness and general weakness; Finally, he often died of respiratory paralysis. Besides bitter almonds, raw plums and peach kernels can also cause the same poisoning symptoms. Once bitter almond poisoning is found, it should be sent to hospital immediately for treatment. If the journey is long, you'd better have your stomach pumped first. Doctors usually use antidotes such as sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate to detoxify, and at the same time give first aid by strengthening the heart and exciting the respiratory center. If the treatment is not timely, it will lead to death.

There are also non-toxic ones!

Almonds are divided into bitter almond and sweet almond. Sweet almond is large and flat, with thin skin, no bitterness and no toxicity. Bitter almond is small, thick, black, reddish, bitter and poisonous. This poison belongs to cyanide. Peach kernel, Li Ziren and cassava also contain this poison. The toxic component in bitter almond is called amygdalin. When bitter almond is chewed, water will release a highly toxic substance hydrocyanic acid, which will lead to poisoning.

Hydrocyanic acid enters the body, combines with iron-containing respiratory enzymes in tissues and cells, prevents respiratory enzymes from delivering oxygen, suffocates tissues and cells, and paralyzes vascular movement centers and respiratory centers. Children eating 5-6 bitter almonds can cause poisoning or death.

Poisoning symptoms Eating bitter almonds for several hours can lead to poisoning. Mild headache, dizziness, fatigue, nausea, symptoms disappear after 4 ~ 6 hours; In addition to the above symptoms, patients with moderate poisoning also have vomiting, unconsciousness, diarrhea, palpitation and chest tightness. In severe poisoning, the above symptoms are more obvious, such as cyanosis of face and mucosa, asthma, spasm, closed teeth, coma, dilated pupils, disappearance of light reflex, and finally respiratory paralysis and death.

In the field first aid, gastric lavage or emesis should be performed immediately with 1: 2000 ~ 4000 potassium permanganate solution, and the patient should be sent to the hospital for first aid.