Health Benefits of Rambutan

Rambutan (scientifically termed as ‘Nephelium Lappaceumis’) is a fruit that definitely features in the list of ‘Most Exotic fruits of Our Planet’. It’s a fruit not a lot of people know about. However, some experts call it ‘super fruit’ because of the many benefits its ingestion has. This fruit resembles lychees in the way it looks- it is red colored on the outside while its inside it white, it is oval in shape and is generally one to two inches in length.

 Here in the Philippines, Rambutan can be seen everywhere and most people love it. Its season goes along with the Lanzones season, so whenever Rambutan is available, Lanzones is also available. Depending on the variety, Rambutan always comes a little cheaper than Lanzones, but this author prefer the former.

Rambutan

 Medical experts over the years have established the major benefits from eating this unique exotic fruit. One of the most well-known benefits of eating rambutan is to battle diabetes.

The following are the main benefits rambutan can offer.

 1. Anti Cancer.
Rambutan fruit, consists of anti-oxidant components. This is not very well known, but a study carried out by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia on ‘Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activities of Non-Edible Parts of Selected Tropical Fruits’ found out that rambutan can be effective against cancer. The skin and seeds and deeds of the fruit have been proved to be effective against different kinds of cancer.

 2. Improves Sperm Quality.
Eating rambutan could be a big help to people with low sperm count, or have weak sperm cells. Vitamin C, which the rambutan fruit is rich in, can also be very important for sperm development. The possible lack of vitamin C in males can result in restricted ability in fruitful reproduction. This condition can be improved by a remedy which requires the person to up their Vitamin C by about 500 mg for around a month.

 3. Improves Quality of Hair.
A paste made from the leaves of trees is has been known to known to provide nutrition to the hair. This paste is made by taking some rambutan leaves, mashing them, adding some water and squeezing the extract. Many people experience a noticeable change in their hair quality in just a few weeks.

 4. Diabetes Treatment.
The seeds of rambutan, which many people do not eat, have a quality than can cure diabetes. These facts have been established by recent studies released by Oxford College of Medicine.

 5. Treating Common Illnesses.
Many people who are suffering from migraine reported that rambutan can ease the pain. Rambutan can also treat loose bowel movement and other stomach-related problems like diarrhea.

 6. Helps Clean Kidneys.
Rambutan can be used as detoxing agent in cleaning kidneys. Eating a lot of rambutan can actually flush waste from kidneys.

 7. Protects Body from Oxidation.
One of many compounds included in the skin of rambutan is Gallic acid. This particular substance behaves as a predator for free-radicals. The way it does this is by protecting the body from damage due to oxidation.

 8. Boasts Immune System and Prevent Diseases.
Rambutans are also high in vitamin C content. Technically speaking, if you ingest ten to twelve rambutan fruits, you would get 75-90 mg of ascorbic acid, which is more than double the amount that is advised in everyday consumption. The major benefit of vitamin C is that it provides increased immunity from infections (by helping strengthen our body’s defense mechanism).

 9. Makes Skin Better and Younger.
Rambutan helps in hydrating your skin and making its soft and supple like you always wanted. This is due to the high water content that the fruit holds. The water helps in the hydration, helping keep the skin smooth and soft.

 10. Strengthen Bones.
Rambutan helps strengthen bones. This is due to the fact that the fruit is rich in calcium, phosphorus and iron. Healthier bones lead to stable growth and reduced chances of fractures and other bone diseases.

11. Generates red and White Blood Cells.
Rambutan helps balance the blood inside the human body. Of the many nutrients the fruit contains, it contains copper which is vital for the production of red and white blood cells in our body. The fruit also contains manganese which is essential for our body for the production of enzymes and their activation. Enzymes are necessary for carry out many functions in our body and often carry out essential biochemical essential in our body.

12. Boosts Energy.
Juice made from rambutan is excellent energy drink. The fruit is rich in carbohydrate and protein content which helps give an instant energy boost when consumed. The high water content of the fruit also helps quench the thirst and bring back lost energy. It is highly suitable for runners and other sport players because of this property.

13. Dysentery Treatment.
The skin of the rambutan fruit can be used to treat dysentery. It can also be used to cure other chronic ailments like chronic fever. Some people also combine the fruits with other ingredients which greatly increases its efficiency in curing such ailments.

14. Reduces Unwanted Fat.
Rambutan is actually an excellent weight-loss food. Rambutans are highly effective in lessening the body fat content of the human body. This is because the fruit is high in fiber content (2 g per 100 g of fruit) and, at the same, low on calories. Moreover, it has high water content. The seeds also help in weight reduction. In order to ingest rambutan seeds, it is advised to crush them and take them mixed with other foodstuff. Alternatively, they can be consumed raw as well

Permission from http://www.thephilippinepride.com/

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Foods That We Should Eat Every Day

There are foods that we should eat everyday and there are foods that should not. Some of the foods that are not good for our body if we eat them everyday are beets and rhubarb as they content high level of oxalic acid bad to our kidneys. But they are healthy foods too but should be eaten moderately.

There are foods that we should eat everyday because they are very nutritious and high in fiber that our body needs. Some of them are rich in Vitamin C that cannot be store in our body so we need them to eat everyday.

I will enumerate the Foods That We Should eat Every Day.

1.0 Spinach

Spinach

It may be green and leafy, but spinach is no nutritional wallflower, and you know from reading Eat This, Not That!. This noted muscle builder is a rich source of plant-based omega-3s and folate, which help reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and osteoporosis. Bonus: Folate also increases blood flow to the nether regions, helping to protect you against age-related sexual issues. And spinach is packed with lutein, a compound that fights macular degeneration (and may help your sex drive). Aim for 1 cup fresh spinach or 1/2 cup cooked per day.

SUBSTITUTES: Kale, bok choy, romaine lettuce

 FIT IT IN:
Make your salads with spinach; add spinach to scrambled eggs; drape it over pizza; mix it with marinara sauce and then microwave for an instant dip.

 PINCH HITTER:
Sesame Stir-Braised Kale > Heat 4 cloves minced garlic, 1 Tbsp. minced fresh ginger, and 1 tsp. sesame oil in a skillet. Add 2 Tbsp. water and 1 bunch kale (stemmed and chopped). Cover and cook for 3 minutes. Drain. Add 1 tsp. soy sauce and 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds.

 2.0 Yogurt

Yogurt

 Various cultures claim yogurt as their own creation, but the 2,000-year-old food's health benefits are not disputed: Fermentation spawns hundreds of millions of probiotic organisms that serve as reinforcements to the battalions of beneficial bacteria in your body. That helps boost your immune system and helps provide protection against cancer. Not all yogurts are probiotic, though, so make sure the label says "live and active cultures." Aim for 1 cup of the calcium and protein-rich goop a day. And choose wisely: Use our Best and Worst Yogurts.

 SUBSTITUTES: Kefir, soy yogurt

 FIT IT IN:
Yogurt topped with blueberries, walnuts, flaxseed, and honey is the ultimate breakfast -- or dessert. Plain low-fat yogurt is also a perfect base for creamy salad dressings and dips.

 HOME RUN:
Power Smoothie > Blend 1 cup low-fat yogurt, 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries, 1 cup carrot juice, and 1 cup fresh baby spinach for a nutrient-rich blast.


3.0 Tomatoes

Tomatoes

There are two things you need to know about tomatoes: Red are the best, because they're packed with more of the antioxidant lycopene, and processed tomatoes are just as potent as fresh ones, because it's easier for the body to absorb the lycopene. Studies show that a diet rich in lycopene can decrease your risk of bladder, lung, prostate, skin, and stomach cancers, as well as reduce the risk of coronary artery disease. Aim for 22 mg of lycopene a day, which is about eight red cherry tomatoes or a glass of tomato juice. For the best picks in the produce aisle, click here.

 SUBSTITUTES: Red watermelon, pink grapefruit, Japanese persimmon, papaya, guava

 FIT IT IN:
Pile on the ketchup and Ragú; guzzle low-sodium V8 and gazpacho; double the amount of tomato paste called for in a recipe.

 PINCH HITTER:
Red and Pink Fruit Bowl > Chop 1 small watermelon, 2 grapefruits, and 1 papaya. Garnish with mint.

4.0 Carrots

Carrots

Most red, yellow, or orange vegetables and fruits are spiked with carotenoids -- fat-soluble compounds that are associated with a reduction in a wide range of cancers, as well as reduced risk and severity of inflammatory conditions such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis -- but none are as easy to prepare, or have as low a caloric density, as carrots. Aim for 1/2 cup a day.

 SUBSTITUTES: Sweet potato, pumpkin, butternut squash, yellow bell pepper, mango

 FIT IT IN:
Raw baby carrots, sliced raw yellow pepper, butternut squash soup, baked sweet potato, pumpkin pie, mango sorbet, carrot cake

 PINCH HITTER:
Baked Sweet Potato Fries > Scrub and dry 2 sweet potatoes. Cut each into 8 slices, and then toss with olive oil and paprika. Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes at 350°F. Turn and bake for 10 minutes more.

5.0 Blueberries

Blueberries

Host to more antioxidants than any other North American fruit, blueberries can help prevent cancer, diabetes, and age-related memory changes (hence the nickname "brain berry"). Studies show that blueberries, which are rich in fiber and vitamins A and C, also boost cardiovascular health. Aim for 1 cup fresh blueberries a day, or 1/2 cup frozen or dried. Try this amazing blueberry smoothie!

SUBSTITUTES: Acai berries, purple grapes, prunes, raisins, strawberries

 FIT IT IN: Blueberries maintain most of their power in dried, frozen, or jam form.

 PINCH HITTER: Acai, an Amazonian berry, has even more antioxidants than the blueberry. Try acai juice from Sambazon or add 2 Tbsp. of acai pulp to cereal, yogurt, or a smoothie.

6.0 Black Beans

Black Beans

All beans are good for your heart, but none can boost your brain power like black beans. That's because they're full of anthocyanins, antioxidant compounds that have been shown to improve brain function. A daily 1/2-cup serving provides 8 grams of protein and 7.5 grams of fiber. It's also low in calories and free of saturated fat.

 SUBSTITUTES: Peas, lentils, and pinto, kidney, fava, and lima beans

 FIT IT IN:
Wrap black beans in a breakfast burrito; use both black beans and kidney beans in your chili; puree 1 cup black beans with 1/4 cup olive oil and roasted garlic for a healthy dip; add favas, limas, or peas to pasta dishes.

 HOME RUN:
Black Bean and Tomato Salsa > Dice 4 tomatoes, 1 onion, 3 cloves garlic, 2 jalapeños, 1 yellow bell pepper, and 1 mango. Mix in a can of black beans and garnish with 1/2 cup chopped cilantro and the juice of 2 limes.

7.0 Walnuts

Walnuts

Richer in heart-healthy omega-3s than salmon, loaded with more anti-inflammatory polyphenols than red wine, and packing half as much muscle-building protein as chicken, the walnut sounds like a Frankenfood, but it grows on trees. Other nuts combine only one or two of these features, not all three. A serving of walnuts -- about 1 ounce, or 7 nuts -- is good anytime, but especially as a post-workout recovery snack. 

SUBSTITUTES: Almonds, peanuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, hazelnuts

 FIT IT IN:
Sprinkle on top of salads; chop and add to pancake batter; spoon peanut butter into curries; grind and mix with olive oil to make a marinade for grilled fish or chicken.

 HOME RUN:
Mix 1 cup walnuts with 1/2 cup dried blueberries and 1/4 cup dark chocolate chunks.

8.0 Oats

Oats

The éminence grise of health food, oats garnered the FDA's first seal of approval. They are packed with soluble fiber, which lowers the risk of heart disease. Yes, oats are loaded with carbs, but the release of those sugars is slowed by the fiber, and because oats also have 10 grams of protein per 1/2-cup serving, they deliver steady, muscle-friendly energy. Or have a sandwich, from our list of the Best and Worst Breakfast Sandwiches.

 SUBSTITUTES: Quinoa, flaxseed, wild rice

 FIT IT IN:
Eat granolas and cereals that have a fiber content of at least 5 grams per serving. Sprinkle 2 Tbsp. ground flaxseed on cereals, salads, and yogurt.

 PINCH HITTER:
Quinoa Salad > Quinoa has twice the protein of most cereals, and fewer carbs. Boil 1 cup quinoa in 2 cups of water. Let cool. In a large bowl, toss it with 2 diced apples, 1 cup fresh blueberries, 1/2 cup chopped walnuts, and 1 cup plain fat-free yogurt.

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Grape Seeds Extract is Better than Chemo in killing Cancer Cells

Chemo Therapy is not just expensive but also very dangerous because aside from killing the cancer cell, it also kills good and healthy cells in our body. Many patients are supposed to survive battling cancer but they succumb to death because of this chemo therapy.

But don't you know that there are other way to cure cancer? Custard Apple or Guyabano in Filipino is 10,000 times better than Chemo Therapy. According to study this fruit is very effective. But right now let us discover the effectiveness of Grape seeds.

Grape Seeds is better than chemo to kill cancer cell

Here is the article from www.letsgohealthy.net and read it:

Cancer is still the most dangerous disease till time. What we all know about cancer cure is in terms of chemotherapy and a lot of medicine doses. Have you ever came across the word colorectal cancer. It is the scariest cancer in which the patient’s body becomes resistant to the cancer cell-killing effect of chemotherapy.

 This is the one of the leading diseases which has caused death in the US in recent years. Thus, a lot of research is going on to find a proper treatment and cure on cancer.

 You might think that cure of cancer can never happen apart from the advance medicine. But what the odds are? According to the recent study published in Chemoprevention journal, Technologies in Carcinogenesis and Cancer, grape seed extract can help us to cure cancer.

It’s unbelievable about really miraculous to see that grape seed extract exactly targets the cancer cells and kill those cell without disturbing the other body cells. It overcomes one of the disadvantages of chemotherapy, also it is a natural way to cure cancer. The grape seed extract has the capability to kill the cells which have become immune to chemotherapy. Thus, it is a positive hope for the patients who are suffering from colorectal cancer.

 Each of the cancer treatment must provide the following benefits to the patient which will make it worthwhile to implement

 Should have the ability to prevent the formation of cancer cells.

Should be able to prevent the spread of cancer cells and tumors in other parts of the body.

Should be effective to kill the cancer cells.

With the recent research on the topic of grape extract treatment for cancer. All the above points can be taken care by the grape extract treatment and thus it can be one of the most effective methods to cure cancer.

Grape Seed Extract to Prevent Carcinogenesis

 Carcinogenesis is termed as the beginning of the formation of a tumor in our body. There exist a very effective compound called procyanidins in grape seed extract. This ingredient has an ability to kill the cancer cells at a much early stage before it starts the actual damage.

Thus, grape seed extract brings down the formation of new tumors and thus prevents growing cancer in our body. 

The recent research also provides that procyanidins in grape seed extract consist of anti-tumor and antioxidant properties which help to prevent the tumor formation in the body.

Grape Seed Extract Impact on Angiogenesis

 The process of growth and survival of cancer cell in the body is termed as angiogenesis. The growth process of tumor creates a need of formation of new blood vessels for this tumor to ensure the proper supply of nutrients required for growth.

 But what if the formation of new blood vessels will get blocked? This will automatically kill the cancer cell by restricting its growth. That’s what grape seed extract does in our body. As per the research the anti-angiogenesis properties of grape seed extract, it prevents the formation of new blood vessels and shut down the tumor growth.

Thus, the lack of nutrients for growth will kill the cancer cell and prevents the spread of cancer in your body.

 Grape Seed Extract Impact on Apoptosis

 The death and regeneration of body cell is a continuous process. The cell death is termed as apoptosis. In our body, many cells are dying after the certain stage and got regulated as well.

As compared to the normal body cell, the tumor or cancer cells don’t die early. This allows the tumor to attain proper growth and it continue to damage the body. Thus, there is always a need to kill this cancer cell before they got regenerate.

 Grape seed extract does this work very efficiently. It kills the cancer cell before the egg layoff process and thus restrict the growth and spread of cancer in the body.

 This is something chemotherapy is not capable of doing. The major drawback of chemotherapy is that it kills all the cells which include the healthy cells as well. It is not able to target just the cancer cell to treat the issue.

Thus, with all the benefits the grape seed extract can act as an excellent remedy to treat the cancer disease. It is recommended to use the products with 40%-80% of grape seed extract.

Take advantage of the solution that Mother Nature could offer you.

 Try this remedy to get rid of the scary cancer disease and pass on the knowledge to people who have started a battle against cancer in their life.

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Bacon, Ham, Red Meat, Sausage, Cold Cuts and other Processed Meats can Cause Cancer

PARIS—Brace yourself for a leaner Christmas table ahead, as the World Health Organization (WHO) on Monday linked bacon, ham, cold cuts and other processed meat like corned beef, luncheon meat, beef jerky and sausages (longganisa) to colon and stomach cancers.

The global health body also said red meat, including beef, veal, pork, lamb, mutton, horse and goat, especially when grilled, pan-fried or cooked using high temperatures, produced high amounts of chemicals suspected of causing cancer as well.

Bacon, Ham, Red Meat, Sausage, Cold Cuts & Processed Meats can Cause Cancer

The WHO researchers defined processed meat as those that have undergone smoking, curing with chemicals like nitrates and nitrites, or fermentation to improve their flavor or preserve it.

 The WHO’s International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in Lyon, France, analyzed decades of research and for the first time put processed meat in the same danger category as smoking or asbestos, with a confirmed link to cancer although the risk is considered small.

While the rates of colon cancer in the United States have been declining, it is the No. 2 cancer for women worldwide and No. 3 for men, according to the WHO.

 Vegetarians vindicated

The pronouncement left meat producers angry, vegetarians feeling vindicated, and cancer experts elated as they welcome the most comprehensive pronouncement yet on the relation between modern meat-eating lifestyles and the dread disease.

The UN agency’s findings could shake up public health attitudes, especially in many European countries where sausages are savored and smoked ham is a national delicacy. It could also hurt the American meat industry which has been arguing that cancer involves a number of lifestyle and environmental factors and not just diet.

A group of 22 scientists from the IARC evaluated more than 800 studies from several continents about meat and cancer. The studies looked at more than a dozen types of cancer in populations with diverse diets over the past 20 years.

Based on that analysis, the IARC classified processed meat as “carcinogenic to humans,” noting links in particular to colon cancer. It added that red meat contained some important nutrients, but still labeled it “probably carcinogenic,” with links to colon, prostate and pancreatic cancers.

 Method of cooking

Since 1971, the group has evaluated more than 900 factors—including coffee, sunlight and night-shift work—based on their likelihood to play a role in cancer.

The agency made no specific dietary recommendations and said it did not have enough data to define how much processed meat is too dangerous. But it said the risk rose with the amount consumed and the method of cooking used.

Cooking at high temperatures or with the meat in direct contact with a flame can produce certain types of carcinogens, but the report said there was not enough data to support conclusions about whether the way meat was cooked affected cancer risks or whether it was better to eat meat raw, which carried its own risks.

An analysis of 10 of the studies suggested that a 50-gram portion of processed meat daily—about 1.75 ounces—increases the risk of colorectal cancer over a lifetime by about 18 percent. That portion is roughly equivalent to a hot dog or a few slices of bologna, though it depends on how thinly it is sliced.

 Global impact

“For an individual, the risk of developing colorectal cancer because of their consumption of processed meat remains small, but this risk increases with the amount of meat consumed,” Dr. Kurt Straif of the IARC said in a statement.

“In view of the large number of people who consume processed meat, the global impact on cancer incidence is of public health importance,” he said.

The cancer agency noted research by the Global Burden of Disease Project suggesting that 34,000 cancer deaths per year worldwide are linked to diets heavy in processed meat, compared with 1 million deaths a year linked to smoking, 600,000 a year to alcohol consumption and 200,000 a year to air pollution.

Complex disease

Doctors in rich countries have long counseled against eating lots of red or processed meat—and not just because of its link to cancer but because of increased heart risks from the saturated fat and sodium.

“(The WHO pronouncement) is an important step in helping individuals make healthier dietary choices to reduce their risk of colorectal cancer in particular,” said Susan Gapstur of the American Cancer Society, which suggests choosing fish or poultry or cooking red meat at low temperatures.

But the North American Meat Institute argued in a statement that “cancer is a complex disease not caused by single foods,” while independent experts stressed that the WHO findings should be kept in perspective.

“Three cigarettes per day increases the risk of lung cancer sixfold,” or 500 percent, compared with the 18 percent from eating a couple of slices of bologna a day, said Gunter Kuhnle, a food nutrition scientist at the University of Reading.

“I think it’s very important that we don’t terrorize people into thinking that they should not eat any red meat at all,” said Dr. John Ioannidis, the chair of disease prevention at Stanford University who was not involved in the new report. “There’s some risk involved, but it’s much less than smoking or alcohol. I think it would be an exaggeration to say, based on this, that no one should be eating red or processed meat.”

Associated Press

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10 Deadly Foods You Might Not Know

We think that what we all have in our dinner table are safety and good for our health but we are not aware that some of the foods that we consume are poisonous and harmful depending on quantity. I will enumerate 10 deadly foods that you might not know you are eating. 

I remember long time ago that a certain family were sent to the hospital because they were poison by a root crops that they ate during lunch. Some vegetables fruits are edible but their leaves or their seeds are not. Some vegetables and fruits can add more problem to your health like for example you have a kidney stones. By eating them in large quantity will give you more substance that will encourage stone formation. 

Here are the Ten Deadly Foods: 

 1.0 Cashews 

Raw cashews you might find in a supermarket are not actually raw, as they've been steamed to remove the urushiol, a chemical also found in poison ivy. This chemical can cause the same effect as poison ivy, or poison oak. High levels of urushiol can supposedly prove fatal. People who are allergic to poison ivy are likely to have a fatal allergic reaction to eating actual raw cashews. 

 2.0 Cassava

The leaves and roots of cassava are surprisingly rich in cyanide. By this point, we may as well wish cyanide were the most delicious, sumptuous substance on the planet if we had to die to enjoy a bite… there is not much in the way of flavor, though. Cassava is a tropical vegetable originally from South America, but has gained popularity in Africa, particularly for its juice, which can be fermented to produce a drink called piwarry. 

 3.0 Tuna

The danger in tuna is the mercury that the fish absorbs. Once in your body, mercury will either pass through your kidneys, or travel to your brain and supposedly drive you insane. The FDA recommends children and pregnant women do not consume tuna at all. While it's unlikely that eating a massive amount of tuna in one sitting will kill you, it's a good idea to monitor your weekly intake. Click here to visit the Environmental Working Group's tuna calculator to see how much is recommended. 

 4.0 Tomatoes

The stems and leaves of tomatoes contain alkali poisons that can cause stomach agitation. Unripe green tomatoes have been said to have the same effect. You would need to consume vast quantities for it to be fatal. Not exactly high-risk, but you might avoid eating tomato leaves. 

 5.0 Raw Honey

Because it doesn't go through the pasteurization process in which harmful toxins are killed, unpasteurized honey often contains grayanotoxin. That can lead to dizziness, weakness, excessive sweating, nausea, and vomiting that last for 24 hours. Typically just one tablespoon of concentrated grayanotoxin can cause the symptoms above. Consuming multiple tablespoons would be a bad idea. 

6.0 Almonds

There are two variations of almonds, sweet almonds and bitter almonds. The bitter ones supposedly contain relatively large amounts of hydrogen cyanide. It's said that even eating just 7 - 10 raw bitter almonds can cause problems for adults, and could be fatal for children. 

 7.0 Potatoes

Glycoalkaloids, also found in nightshade, can be found in the leaves, stems, and sprouts of potatoes. It can also build up in the potato if it's left too long, especially in the light. Eating glycoalkaloids will lead to cramping, diarrhea, confused headaches, or even coma and death. It's said that just 3 to 6 mg per kilogram of body weight could be fatal. Avoid potatoes with a greenish tinge. 

 8.0 Nutmeg

Nutmeg is actually a hallucinogenic. Yes, you can trip on it, but it's said that eating just 0.2 oz of nutmeg could lead to convulsions, and 0.3 oz could lead to seizures. Eating one whole will supposedly lead to a type of "nutmeg psychosis," which includes a sense of impending doom. 

 9.0 Rhubarb

Rhubarb leaves contain oxalic acid, which causes kidney stones. It'll take 11 pounds of leaves to be fatal, but much less to make you seriously ill. 

 10.0 Fruit Seeds

Like apples, cherry pits contain a type of hydrogen cyanide called prussic acid. Don't go eating a cup of ground pits, or peach and apricot pits for that matter.

From Foxnews.com

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