An ancient 'superfood' sent from heaven
On August 20, 2024, actress Alicia Silverstone took to TikTok to film herself eating what looked like a Jerusalem cherry she'd picked from someone's garden as she strolled through London, England. The 'Clueless' (1995) star, was, well, clueless in not knowing that the Jerusalem cherry is, in fact, a deadly plant belonging to the nightshade family!
To ensure you don't make the same mistake, this gallery identifies some of the most poisonous fruits in the world. Click through to find out more.
It should be noted that foraging, or searching widely for food or provisions, has numerous benefits. Though it's best not to do like Alicia Silverstone and pick something you don't recognize from a stranger's front yard!
Choosing to find and eat food close to where you live can help the environment by mitigating the carbon footprint associated with the shipping and transportation of food, especially if it's produce you'd usually eat, like mushrooms and berries.
Spending time outdoors and engaging in mindful activities like foraging can reduce stress and improve mental health. But be mindful as to what you're foraging for!
According to the Northern New England Poison Center, consuming Jerusalem cherry can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Eating a large amount may lead to drowsiness, hallucinations, and heart problems. Severe cases have also led to paralysis, coma, and even death.
Fruit from the manchineel tree resembles a small apple with a sweet scent. However, consuming the fruit causes vomiting, damage to the digestive tract, and even death. The tree sap alone can blister the skin, and fumes from burning its branches can cause blindness.
Ackee, Jamaica's national fruit, is rich in fatty acids, but it can be dangerous if not prepared properly. Unripe ackee may result in the metabolic syndrome known as Jamaican vomiting sickness, which can cause coma, hypoglycemia, and even death.
Datura is a spiny, egg-shaped fruit that turns brown when ripe. All parts of the plant contain toxic alkaloids, and consumption can lead to hallucinations, tachycardia, seizures, and death.
Jatropha fruit is initially green but turns yellow and then black when ripe. The seeds contain a highly toxic protein called curcin, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, and, in severe cases, multiorgan failure and death if consumed.
The seeds of this orange, berry-like fruit contain the highly toxic alkaloid called strychnine, which can lead to muscular convulsions, respiratory failure, and death if consumed.
All parts of this soft, bright red berry-like fruit (except the aril, the fleshy part covering the seed) contain toxic taxine alkaloids. Consuming these berries can lead to vomiting, abdominal pain, dizziness, and potentially fatal heart arrhythmias.
While these dark purple pokeweed berries may look inviting, they contain toxic compounds that can cause vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, respiratory failure, and even death.
Belladonna, or deadly nightshade, is a toxic perennial herbaceous plant that produces shiny, black berries that resemble cherries. Consumption can cause blurred vision, dry mouth, hallucinations, and respiratory failure.
The bright red cotoneaster berries contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when ingested, resulting in nausea, vomiting, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death.
A privet shrub's glossy black berries are incredibly poisonous to humans. Consumption can lead to nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, seizures, and respiratory failure.
The fruit and leaves of a cherry laurel tree contain cyanogenic glycosides, which can release cyanide when consumed. Side effects include vomiting, dizziness, confusion, respiratory failure, and death.
Star fruit is a nutritious fruit that is low in calories but full of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.
While star fruit does boast nutritional benefits, it can be toxic to people who have kidney disease. In some instances, consuming too much star fruit can lead to kidney damage, seizures, and even death.
Raw elderberries, as well as the seeds, leaves, and bark of the tree, contain a toxic substance that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea if consumed. Cook berries thoroughly and strain out seeds before eating.
While apricots are safe to eat, the kernels are poisonous in high doses. The kernels contain a toxin called amygdalin, which can react with stomach enzymes and release cyanide in the gut, causing stomach pain, low blood pressure, and death.
Amygdalin, the substance found in apricot kernels, is sometimes referred to as vitamin B17 and is promoted as an alternative cancer treatment. However, there is not enough reliable evidence that it works.
European spindle leaves and fruit are both toxic to humans. Consumption can cause dizziness, hallucinations, kidney failure, and even death.
Pangium edule is a tree native to the mangrove swamps of Southeast Asia. The fruit, known as football fruit, contains hydrocyanic acid, which can cause sleepiness, delirium, and death.
Pangium edule fruit can be eaten if prepared correctly. The fruit can also be boiled down or fermented until the poison is removed and made into a cooking oil.
Rhubarb is technically a vegetable, but it is prepared as a fruit. While the stalks are edible, it's best to steer clear of consuming the leaves, as they contain high amounts of oxalic acid, which can cause diarrhea, breathing difficulties, and vomiting.
Cashews are, indeed, a fruit. And raw cashews in their shell contain urushiol, a toxin that can cause severe skin irritation and, if ingested at a high level, can be deadly.
The orange-yellow fruit of the karaka tree contains karakin, a toxic alkaloid. If consumed, you may experience vomiting, seizures, paralysis, and, in severe cases, respiratory failure and death.
Wonderberries may look like blueberries, but they are incredibly toxic to humans. They contain solanine, which can cause vomiting, abdominal pain, headache, and, in severe cases, death.
Sources: (Parade) (Mothers Always Right) (Mashed)
The most poisonous fruits in the world
Don't make the same mistake as Alicia Silverstone!
FOOD Deadly food
On August 20, 2024, actress Alicia Silverstone took to TikTok to film herself eating what looked like a Jerusalem cherry she'd picked from someone's garden as she strolled through London, England. The 'Clueless' (1995) star, was, well, clueless in not knowing that the Jerusalem cherry is, in fact, a deadly plant belonging to the nightshade family!
To ensure you don't make the same mistake, this gallery identifies some of the most poisonous fruits in the world. Click through to find out more.