Can children eat almonds? Will eating too many almonds lead to poisoning?

Can children eat almonds? I believe many parents are concerned about this question. Let me tell you.

It is best not to eat almonds for children

Bitter almonds are poisonous. The tip and skin of bitter almonds contain the toxic component of hydrocyanic acid. There is a toxic component in raw almonds called cyanogenic glycosides, which can release the highly toxic component hydrocyanic acid after hydrolysis in the gastrointestinal tract. Hydrocyanic acid can be quickly absorbed and enter the blood circulation, acting on cells in various parts of the human body, making the cells unable to breathe normally and causing general hypoxia in the tissues. Hydrocyanic acid acts on the respiratory and cardiovascular centers, causing paralysis of these centers and death. Moreover, due to the high toxicity of hydrocyanic acid, some teenagers will be poisoned if they eat one out of curiosity. Bitter almond poisoning usually starts about 1 hour after eating, and the main symptoms are neurotoxicity. At first, vomiting, nausea, and headaches; followed by palpitations, chest tightness, and general fatigue; and finally, death is often caused by respiratory paralysis. In addition to bitter almonds, raw plum kernels and peach kernels can also cause the same poisoning symptoms. Once bitter almond poisoning is found, it should be sent to the hospital for treatment immediately. If the journey is long, it is best to wash the stomach first. Doctors usually use antidotes such as sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate to detoxify, and at the same time perform first aid such as strengthening the heart and stimulating the respiratory center. If treatment is not timely, it may lead to death.

Almonds are also non-toxic.

Almonds are divided into bitter almonds and sweet almonds. Sweet almonds are large and flat, with light-colored skin, not bitter, and non-toxic. Bitter almonds are small, thick, with dark red skin, bitter, and poisonous. This poison is cyanide. Peach kernels, plum kernels, cassava, etc. also contain this poison. The toxic ingredient in bitter almonds is called amygdalin. When bitter almonds are chewed, water releases a highly toxic substance, hydrocyanic acid, which causes poisoning.

Hydrocyanic acid enters the body and combines with the iron-containing respiratory enzymes in tissue cells, preventing the respiratory enzymes from delivering oxygen, suffocating tissue cells, and paralyzing the vascular motor center and respiratory center. Children who eat 5-6 bitter almonds can be poisoned or die.

Eating too many almonds can cause poisoning in children

Ingestion of bitter almonds can cause poisoning within a few hours. Mild cases will cause headache, dizziness, weakness, nausea, and the symptoms will disappear after 4 to 6 hours; moderate poisoning will cause vomiting, unconsciousness, diarrhea, panic, chest tightness, etc. in addition to the above symptoms; severe poisoning will cause the above symptoms to be more obvious, and will also cause cyanosis of the face and mucous membranes, asthma, convulsions, clenched teeth, coma, dilated pupils, loss of light reflex, and finally respiratory paralysis and death.