Many people eat almonds because they are high in unsaturated fat, vitamin E, iron, and calcium. There are two types of almonds: sweet almonds and bitter almonds. Unlike sweet almonds, bitter almonds are very poisonous. This toxicity is because of a substance called amygdalin. When it goes into our bodies, it turns into hydrogen cyanide. About 100-200 mg of hydrogen cyanide is enough to kill a person within a few minutes. Therefore, we should never pick and eat bitter almonds found in the forest.
Yejin Hwang Staff Reporter
1. Why should we never pick and eat bitter almonds found in the forest?
Many people eat almonds because they are high in unsaturated fat, vitamin E, iron, and calcium. There are two types of almonds: sweet almonds and bitter almonds. Unlike sweet almonds, bitter almonds are very poisonous. This toxicity is because of a substance called amygdalin. When it goes into our bodies, it turns into hydrogen cyanide. About 100-200 mg of hydrogen cyanide is enough to kill a person within a few minutes. Therefore, we should never pick and eat bitter almonds found in the forest.
