Avocado pits also cause problems for people who are allergic to latex. You can grate it by hand, too. It may also lower blood pressure, fight inflammation, and help with weight loss. ThoughtCo uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. However, like the leaves of many avocado plants, the pits can contain some nasty substances. Avocado seed contains flavonoid that acts as antioxidant which protect the cells from any damage that caused by free radicals and later can trigger the development of cancer cells. The California Avocado Commission recommends people avoid eating the avocado seed (though of course, they encourage you to enjoy the fruit). We haven’t found any mention of avocado seeds for cancer in folk medicine literature, but a 2013 study found that ethanol extracts of the avocado fruit and seed could induce death (apoptosis) in cells affected by leukemia or blood cancer. Free … Persin also enhances the cytotoxic, or cell-killing, effects of tamoxifen, which is a cancer drug. Although the fruit is so delicious for humans to eat, it’s best to stay on the safer side and keep avocados away from your furry animals. The myth may be related to the fact that avocado flesh and many parts of the avocado tree, such as the bark and leaves, are toxic to some … Eating the seed has potential risks and no evidence of health benefits. There are certain types of avocado that are known to be poisonous due to the amount of persin in the avocado leaves, seeds, bark, and fruit. To make avocado seed powder, remove the pit from the fruit, place it on a baking sheet, and cook it in a preheated oven at 250 F for 1.5 to 2 hours. With a number of queries flashing on this topic, you may think, is it safe to eat avocado seed? Avocado seeds are not poisonous unless consumed in large quantities. It acts as a natural fungicide. By using ThoughtCo, you accept our. Poisoning has been reported in birds (chickens, cockatiels, budgies, canaries, ostriches), horses, goats, sheep, mice and rabbits. Avocados are a great part of a healthy diet, but what about their seeds or pits? Do you throw out the seed of an avocado after cutting it open? Mol. Right along with the question of eating avocado skin is whether it’s safe to eat an avocado pit or seed. A single avocado seed will not result in cyanide poisoning in adults. … Read on to find it out yourself: Avocado seed contains persin, which is a toxic compound present in small quantities in avocado seeds. Avocado seeds may cause gastric obstruction in these animals. Persin is an oil-soluble compound structurally similar to a fatty acid, and it leaches into the body of the fruit from the seeds.. The seed forms about 16% of the total weight of the fruit. Due to the specific taste, easiness to use, and health benefits, the avocado is a commonly used fruit in many households. Peel the skin and dice the seed. But there is only a very small amount, meaning that the avocado seed is not really poisonous to humans, unless eaten in massive quantities. The avocado (P. americana) is consumed by humans because of its organoleptic characteristics; furthermore, the pulp contains up to 33% oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids [].The avocado seed is discarded in the majority of countries, although in some countries such as Niger, it is consumed [18, 19].This waste may represent an ecological or human contaminant. The surface of the avocado pit is hard and leathery. In fact, persin is beneficial to humans. The relatively low concentrations of persin in the ripe pulp of the avocado fruit is generally considered harmless to humans. Avocado seeds are not poisonous unless consumed in large quantities. In large quantities, avocado seeds can make your stomach hurt. The avocado seeds are also effective in fighting bad cholesterol. So avoid eating them daily if you are on a diet. Acute Toxicity and Genotoxic Activity of Avocado Seed Extract (Persea americana Mill., c.v. Hass) This one isn’t very relevant, since they were only looking at the potential toxicity of the seed extract. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23448442, last accessed May 29, 2017. You can dry out and pulverize the avocado seeds in a food processor. Actually, the myth that avocado seeds are poisonous comes from a fact that avocado flesh, as well as avocado bark and leaves, are toxic to some animals, including dogs, cats, birds and horses. Avocado leaves contain a toxic fatty acid derivative, persin, which in sufficient quantity can cause colic in horses and without veterinary treatment, death. If avocado is consumed in adequate amounts then it may cause mouth allergy like itching sensation in the mouth and swelling tongue. Consuming the seeds in excess amounts may be harmful. The pit has to be discarded. However, real scientific research around this topic is still amiss. Avocado pits are especially toxic to horses, cattle, goats and birds. There is a slight amount of persin, a fungicidal toxin similar to a fatty acid, in avocado pits, and the skin, bark, and leaves of the avocado tree. However, the compound is soluble in oil rather than water, so further research is needed to see whether an extract of the seed can be made into a useful form. Nutrition Facts & Health Benefits, The 7 Healthiest Nuts to Include in Your Diet, Flat Tummy Water: Benefits, Side Effects & Nutrition Facts, Plantain vs. Banana: Difference in Nutrition and Health Benefits, Is it Wise to Drink Lemon Water before Bed? Avocado seeds contain a toxic compound called persin. Avocado Seeds Are Edible and Good for You – Fact or Fiction? Consuming the seeds in excess amounts may be harmful. If you decide to go ahead and try avocado seeds, one of the most popular ways to prepare them is to make a powder. “Avocado (Persea americana) seed as a source of bioactive phytochemicals.,” NCBI web site; As said before, there is insufficient scientific evidence available to make a clear statement whether an a… The softened seeds can be pureed in a blender. While the amount of persin in an avocado pit isn't enough to harm a human, avocado plants and pits can harm pets and livestock. Add any sweetener of choice like honey and enjoy the avocado seed tea. The powder can be mixed into smoothies or other foods to disguise the bitter flavor, which comes from tannins in the seed. Stop grinding the avocado seed into smoothies, regardless of what social media says. It is present in the leaves, skin, seeds and fruit of the avocado. Here are a couple of ways to consume the bitter but nutritious avacado powder: You can add powdered avocado seeds to a smoothie. 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