7 most poisonous fruits in the world

Even nature has its own vices. While some fruits we eat are packed with loads of nutrients, others carry with them a secret ingredient that could lead to death. In an interview with CNN, Peter Spencer, professor of neurology and occupational health sciences at Oregon Health and Science University, shared that "The idea that all natural things are good for you is rubbish. We are eating [fruits and] vegetables that potentially contain bad things." He added that many plants "were not put here for our benefit but to protect themselves from predators." Find out nature's 7 most poisonous fruits!

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Featured in the HBO series, 'White Lotus', the fruit of the pong pong tree is so deadly in Southeast Asia that it has gained the nickname "suicide tree." The pong pong tree belongs to the dogbane family of plants that are known for producing poisons. Found in Southeast Asia, Pacific Island and northern Australia, the tree contains a poison called cerberin. Mostly concentrated in the seeds of the fruit, cerberin is a glycoside that attacks the heart. It is absorbed in the bloodstream from the stomach and can onset symptoms such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea within 20-30 minutes of consumption. As per a study published in 2004, the tree was responsible for half of the plant poisoning cases in Kerala from 1989-1999.

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Manchineel, also known as the "apple of death" is a green-coloured fruit similar to apples in look, smell and even taste. However, unlike apples, the sap of this fruit contains phorbol and hippomane toxins that can cause severe burns on the skin and unbearable pain. Mostly found in the Caribbean, Mexico, South America and parts of South Florida, even touching or consuming the sap of the fruit can lead to gastrointestinal disorders and even death. Interestingly, it is said that droplets from the fruit are powerful enough to damage car paint.

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Remember how you sometimes end up chewing on or swallowing the seed of a fruit accidentally? Well, try to avoid that with cherries. These shiny little fruits of flavour carry with them seeds that could kill you. Yes, according to a study published on ResearchGate, the seeds within the cherry fruit contain a poisonous compound called hydrogen cyanide. While the accidental one or two seeds might not matter, if had in a larger amount it can cause seizures, apnea and even a cardiac arrest followed by death.

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