Bitter almonds and their side effects

How much do you know about the effects and functions of bitter almonds? Let me give you a detailed analysis below.

The effects and functions of bitter almonds

1. Antitussive and antiasthmatic effects

Bitter almonds contain amygdalin, which can be hydrolyzed in the body by intestinal microbial enzymes or the amygdalin contained in the bitter almonds themselves, producing trace amounts of hydrocyanic acid and benzaldehyde, which have an inhibitory effect on the respiratory center, achieving antitussive and antiasthmatic effects.

2. Effects on the digestive system

Almonds are bitter and flatulent, and are rich in fatty oils. Fatty oils can improve the lubrication of intestinal contents on the mucous membrane, so almonds have the function of moistening the intestines and relieving constipation.

3. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects

Benzaldehyde produced by the decomposition of amygdalin is reacted with benzoin condensing enzyme to generate benzoin. Benzoin has analgesic effect, so some people in China use bitter almonds to treat advanced liver cancer to relieve the pain of patients, and some even do not need to take painkillers.

4. Anti-tumor effect

The research on the anti-tumor mechanism of almonds mainly includes the following aspects.

① Some scholars believe that cancer cells contain a large amount of tail-glucosidase, which can hydrolyze amygdalin to produce hydrocyanic acid (HCN), benzaldehyde and glucose. Since cancer cells lack thionitrile-generating enzymes, the enzyme has a detoxifying effect on HCN, turning HCN into non-toxic thionitriles, while normal cells lack tail-glucosidase and contain a large amount of thionitrile-generating enzymes. According to this theory, amygdalin should be able to selectively kill cancer cells while being almost harmless to normal cells.

② Amygdalin can help trypsin in the body digest the transparent mucin membrane of cancer cells, making it easier for white blood cells in the body to approach cancer cells and phagocytize them.

③ Some people have found that amygdalin, similar to NaSCN and NaOCN, can affect the entry of thymidine into the DNA of liver tumor cells and the absorption of phosphate and amino acids by tumor cells.

5. Hypoglycemic effect

Amygdalin has the effect of preventing and treating diabetes caused by the anti-tumor drug alloxan. The alloxan-induced hyperglycemia in mice method was used to prove that blood sugar was measured 48 hours after intraperitoneal injection of 3g/kg amygdalin. The results showed that amygdalin can specifically inhibit the increase in blood sugar caused by alloxan, and the intensity of the effect is related to the concentration of amygdalin in the blood.

6. Effect of lowering blood lipids

Clinical reports show that almonds can significantly lower blood lipid levels in patients with hyperlipidemia. Spiller (1990) believes that the monounsaturated fatty acids in almonds can help lower patients' mildly elevated blood lipids without the need for strict dietary restrictions.

7. Beauty effect

According to the theory of lung and skin, some skin diseases can be treated clinically by promoting lung function, and the combination of almonds often achieves quick results. Modern research has shown that the fatty oil contained in bitter almonds can soften the stratum corneum of the skin, moisturize the skin, protect nerve endings, blood vessels and tissues, and inhibit bacteria. In addition, HCN generated by enzyme hydrolysis can inhibit the active tyrosinase in the body, eliminate pigmentation, freckles, dark spots, etc., thereby achieving a beauty effect.

8. Other functions

Amygdalin has an anti-mutagenic effect and can reduce the number of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes caused by acetaminophen, metronidazole, mitomycin C, etc.

Bitter almond oil also has anthelmintic and bactericidal effects. In vitro tests have shown that it can kill human roundworms and earthworms, and has antibacterial effects on typhoid and paratyphoid bacilli. Almonds also have anti-pinworm and trichomonas infections and can treat aplastic anemia.

Bitter Almond Side Effects

Apricot kernel is bitter, warm, and can clear the lungs, moisten the intestines, and promote bowel movements. It is only suitable for treating wind evil, dry intestines, and other solid symptoms. For those with yin deficiency and stagnation of fire, it is not suitable to take this medicine alone for a long time. For example, for tuberculosis, bronchitis, chronic enteritis, dry cough without sputum, etc., it is contraindicated to take this medicine alone for a long time.