Bitter almonds: useful properties and contraindications

Almonds are a useful drupe, which belongs to a plant of the genus plum - common almonds or other varieties. We used to think of it as a nut, but it is not. Rather, it looks like the bones extracted from a peach. Bitter almonds are often unripe sweet almonds or a special variety with an uncharacteristic taste. It contains hydrocyanic acid, which can lead to severe poisoning. Therefore, in cooking, bitter almonds (see photo) are used to a limited extent. It is mainly used in the manufacture of perfumes, almond oil.

How to tell bitter almonds from sweet almonds

There are about 40 healthy varieties of almonds, and almost all of them are sweet. Some contain bitterness, which is due to the presence of high concentrations of the cyanogenic glycoside amygdalin. The presence of toxic substances gives out a strong almond smell, which is not present in sweet healthy varieties. Differences between sweet and bitter almonds are also apparent in appearance. Bitter almonds have mostly leafy cuttings without glands, flowers are usually brighter, and the stone is woody or brittle. It grows as a hermit on rocky mountain slopes in Central Asia, the Caucasus and the Crimea.

Glycosides are chemical compounds of glucose with another molecule. They are useful to the plant in defense against external enemies. Therefore, glycosides, as a rule, have toxic properties to varying degrees. They do not harm the plant itself; they can accumulate in large quantities.

As soon as a person begins to chew bitter almonds, the process of hydrolysis of amygdalin starts. As a result, hydrocyanic acid is formed, a poisonous compound that can cause severe poisoning in any living creature. The enzyme glycosidase, necessary for the successful breakdown of amygdalin, is contained both in the seed itself and produced in our own stomach.

What is hydrocyanic acid, probably, everyone has heard and knows. A hundred years ago, its use was in the persecution of small rodents and insects. This was often fatal not only for pests but also for humans. Cyanides have long been a means of poisoning enemies of grain supplies.

Hydrocyanic acid can hardly be called a useful substance for the human body. Once inside, it blocks the production of a number of enzymes, which leads to a lack of oxygen in the tissues. The lethal dose of hydrocyanic acid for an adult is 0.3 g, which may well be contained in 100 g of almonds. A child needs about ten fruits to get a lethal amount of a poisonous compound.

The benefits and harms of bitter almonds

If the almonds purchased in the store are bitter, it is better to refuse to use it, since not only will it not be beneficial, but it is also capable of causing irreparable harm to the body. You should try to get sweet varieties, they are safe and have the same beneficial properties. But if it has already happened that fruits with bitterness have come across, you can subject them to heat treatment and then they will become useful and safe.Due to exposure to high temperatures, enzymes leading to the release of toxic substances are destroyed.

The beneficial properties of bitter almonds allow us to call it a nut of long-livers. It contains substances important for human health that provide a therapeutic effect on the body:

• strengthen the heart muscle, improve the activity of the entire cardiovascular system, protect against atherosclerosis (magnesium);
• slow down skin aging (vitamin E);
• protect against type 2 diabetes mellitus (manganese).

Bitter almonds are used to treat cancer as well as prevent it. The benefits of the fruits will be fully manifested if you start with taking one kernel per day, gradually bringing the amount to 20 pieces. And also in the reverse order. Repeat in a month.

In a number of countries, bitter almonds are used as an additive to condiments. The oil made from it is useful in the creation of perfume and cosmetic compositions. It is also used for local anesthesia or as a pain reliever for the following conditions and diseases:

• stomach pain;
• bedsores;
• diaper rash;
• dermatitis;
• sprains;
• sore throat;
• pain or hardening of wax in the ear.

Chemical composition

The biochemical composition of bitter almonds indicates its beneficial therapeutic properties and high nutritional value.

This is not a complete list of useful components that fill the composition of bitter almonds. Each of these compounds contributes to the health and nutritional benefits of nuts.

Application of bitter almonds

Despite its toxic properties, after proper processing, bitter almonds, like sweet almonds, are considered a healthy food product, albeit with numerous restrictions in their use. It has an extremely rich and varied composition, which provides the drupe with versatile applications and benefits in various spheres of human activity.

But the amount of bitter almonds in comparison with the healthy sweet varieties is strictly limited - no more than two pieces per day. Children should not take it internally at all. If we are talking about sweet almonds, then in children 10 pieces of raw nuts can cause death, an adult lethal dose - 50 freshly picked nuts. During heat treatment, hydrogen cyanide is destroyed, the fruits become safer and healthier for people.

In treatment

Bitter almonds have high healing properties and can be beneficial for many diseases. Avicenna was well aware of the power of medicinal fruits and used them for violations of the digestive system, urinary organs, giving "masculine strength". It is better to purchase health-promoting preparations made from bitter almonds through the pharmacy network. Although you can prepare them yourself, you need to be very strict about the dosage and quality of the raw materials.

Bitter almond oil is beneficial for women with PMS. At this time, the content of magnesium in the blood decreases sharply. And this is exactly the element that is very abundant in bitter almonds. The benefits of nuts are also manifested in their effect on digestion processes. For treatment, not only oil is used, but also bitter almonds itself for stomach pains caused by an ulcer or gastritis. It is also beneficial for renal colic, difficulty urinating.All types of almonds cleanse the liver, spleen and kidneys, as well as strengthen vision, the brain, are useful for asthma, pleurisy, ulcers in the intestines.

Bitter almond oil is widely used in medicine. It is added to solutions for injections, medicinal ointments. First of all, the antispasmodic, antihistamine, vasodilator, narcotic and hypnotic effects are appreciated. The methods of using healthy oil are as follows:

• in an aroma lamp - 2-3 drops;
• massage - 1-2 drops per 10 g of transport oil;
• inside - 1 drop per 1 teaspoon of honey three times a day.

The oil is beneficial in softening rough skin, healing microtraumas, and also helps fight cellulite. Revitalizes dry flabby skin, smoothes wrinkles. Shows a beneficial effect in diseases of the respiratory tract, for lowering cholesterol, healing minor skin injuries, with seals in the mammary gland.

In cosmetology

The beneficial bitter almond oil is great for cleansing the face of freckles, age spots, blackheads and acne. To do this, they also grind the fruits and add a little water to the resulting powder, bring to the consistency of gruel. Then apply to problem areas and hold for up to half an hour for maximum benefit. If you use milk instead of water in a similar recipe, you get an excellent remedy for baldness. When you mix bitter almonds with wine, you can make a healthy dandruff-fighting blend.

In the cosmetic industry, oil is used as an additive to various creams and ointments. It gives the mixtures anti-inflammatory, revitalizing, healing and other beneficial properties. Helps to improve the oil and water balance of the skin. From the pulp of bitter almonds at home, you can make moisturizing masks for the hands, neck and face, which provide invaluable benefits to the appearance. The composition of the medicinal mixture includes almond pulp, sour cream or honey. In 10-15 minutes after application, rinse with water or wipe off with a damp cloth.

In cooking

Bitter almonds must be exposed to heat, which can take place in the form of baking, roasting, roasting, boiling. After that, the fruits can be added to food as a useful seasoning or additional ingredients in salads, meat and rice dishes, desserts, and confectionery.

Bitter almond poisoning

Bitter almonds, although healthy, may not work for one person or another. Each organism has its own scale of intolerance. Moreover, the fruits contain hydrocyanic acid, which does not benefit the body. Even in small quantities, it is dangerous to humans. Therefore, control over treatment by an experienced specialist is required, as well as strict adherence to all recommendations and dosages. This is the only way to benefit from the treatment.

If, nevertheless, poisoning with bitter almonds has occurred, you need to know the symptoms well in order to provide first aid in time and consult a doctor. The most common signs of body intoxication resulting from excessive use of the product:

• increased salivation;
• vomiting reflex;
• Strong headache;
• breathing disorder;
• pain in the abdomen;
• prostration;
• arrhythmia;
• skin and mucous membranes become pink;
• convulsions;
• loss of consciousness.

When the first signs appear, it is urgent to provide qualified medical care, since severe forms of poisoning are quite capable of leading to death. A strong degree of intoxication is accompanied by impaired consciousness, hallucinations, anemia, bradycardia. Before the arrival of the ambulance team, the victim should be provided with the following assistance:

• give as much water to drink as possible, provoke a gag reflex;
• cleanse the stomach until the emerging waters become clear;
• use sorbents;
• give sweet tea to drink (sugar as an antidote);
• use frequent drinking from dehydration;
• apply Regidron.

Treatment takes place in a hospital. The victim is injected with special antidotes, other drugs are selected, and a diet is prescribed.

Contraindications to bitter almonds

Unripe sweet almonds should not be consumed. Their usefulness is questionable. They contain cyanide, which is dangerous to humans. Bitter almonds are also very limited in consumption and have many contraindications:

• individual intolerance;
• childhood;
• pregnancy;
• lactation;
• heart palpitations;
• obesity.

Better to eat sweet almonds. They are safe for humans and due to this they are able to bring much more benefit to the body.

What poisonous substance has the smell of bitter almonds

The scent of bitter almonds has amygdalin, which is involved not only in protecting the plant, but also in creating a characteristic aroma. In the chain of conversion of hydrocyanic acid from a glycoside, there is one very useful molecule - benzaldehyde. Its main role is to bind poisonous hydrocyanic acid in the amygdalin. For humans, it is useful in that it affects the sense of smell and is the cause of the characteristic almond aroma.

Hydrocyanic acid itself has no smell at all, so those authors of detective stories are mistaken, the heroes of which determine the poisonous substance by smell. The smell will be present only if a person died as a result of taking amygdalin (letril), since it will be caused by a benzaldehyde molecule.

Bitter almonds can be recognized by their characteristic aroma. But the aromatic molecule is not found in its pure form. Under the action of the drupe's own enzymes, a small part of amygdalin breaks down into hydrocyanic acid and useful benzaldehyde. The latter compound is also responsible for the emergence of a unique odor.

Terms and conditions of storage

It is useful to purchase and store inshell bitter almonds. At the same time, you need to pay attention to the fact that there is no mold and other plaque on it, which is unusual for fresh healthy fruits. The most useful are those bitter almonds, which are sold in a vacuum package and are protected from unwanted environmental influences. Unpeeled bitter almonds are stored in a breathable, leaky box. The air in the room should not be heated above +18 degrees, and it should not be exposed to direct sunlight.

If the nuts were purchased without shell and in bulk, they should be placed in a well-sealed container and stored in the refrigerator. So they can stand up to six months, retaining their benefits. In winter, an insulated loggia or balcony can serve as a storage place. To preserve the beneficial properties of bitter almonds, it is allowed to freeze. This extends the shelf life up to a year.

It is more useful to purchase peeled nuts for storage in a thermally unprocessed form. Roasted bitter almonds should be cooked dry without oil. You should also carefully read the composition and make sure that there are no additional ingredients such as corn syrup, sugar, preservatives, as they are not useful.

Reviews of bitter almonds

Conclusion

Bitter almonds can be beneficial to humans, but only if they are handled carefully. It is necessary to strictly adhere to dosages and instructions for the use of drugs made on its basis.

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