If you swallow a whole cherry pit, generally nothing harmful happens because the hard outer shell protects the toxic compounds inside from being released. The pit usually passes through your digestive system intact and is expelled without causing toxicity
. Cherry pits contain amygdalin, a compound that can convert into hydrogen cyanide-a poisonous chemical-when the pit is crushed or chewed. However, swallowing a small number of whole pits is unlikely to cause cyanide poisoning because the pit remains unbroken
. The main risks of swallowing cherry pits are:
- Choking hazard , especially for young children
- Potential intestinal blockage if a large number of pits are swallowed
- Cyanide poisoning if the pits are crushed or chewed, releasing amygdalin and producing hydrogen cyanide. Symptoms of poisoning include headache, nausea, seizures, convulsions, and difficulty breathing
If a child or adult chews and swallows multiple pits, they should be monitored for symptoms and seek medical help if any signs of poisoning occur
. In summary:
- Swallowing one or two whole cherry pits is usually safe.
- Crushing or chewing pits can release cyanide and be dangerous.
- Large quantities of pits pose choking or intestinal blockage risks.
- Children are more vulnerable to these risks and should be taught to avoid swallowing pits
If you suspect poisoning or have swallowed crushed pits, contact poison control immediately.
If you accidentally swallow a single pit, it likely will travel through your digestive tract intact and won’t cause problems but "if pits are broken, amygdalin is released and can convert to cyanide"
This explains why accidental ingestion of whole pits is generally harmless, but deliberate chewing or crushing of pits should be avoided.
