What are bitter almonds?
In the past 10 days of online hot topics, food safety and health topics have continued to attract attention, and the discussion on bitter almonds is particularly prominent. As a common Chinese herbal medicine and food, bitter almonds have triggered widespread discussion on their appearance, efficacy and potential risks. This article will introduce the characteristics, uses and precautions of bitter almonds in the form of structured data in detail based on recent hot topics.
1. Appearance characteristics of bitter almonds
Bitter almonds are seeds of the apricot tree (Prunus armeniaca) and have a similar appearance to sweet almonds, but have slightly different color and smell. The following are typical characteristics of bitter almonds:
| feature | describe |
|---|---|
| shape | Flat oval, slightly pointed at one end |
| size | About 1.5-2 cm long and about 1-1.5 cm wide |
| color | Yellow-brown to dark brown surface with fine lines in seed coat |
| odor | It has a unique aroma of bitter almonds (mainly from bitter almonds) |
| texture | Crispy cortex, white inner kernel, rich in oil |
2. The difference between bitter almonds and sweet almonds
Recently, the discussion on social media about "how to distinguish bitter almonds from sweet almonds" has been very popular. Here are the key differences between the two:
| Comparison items | Bitter apricot kernels | Sweet apricot kernels |
|---|---|---|
| source | Wild varieties such as mountain apricots and Siberian apricots | Cultivated edible apricot varieties |
| smell | Apparently bitter | Slightly sweet or tasteless |
| Amygdalin content | About 3% (toxic ingredients) | Less than 0.1% |
| use | Mainly medicinal | Mainly consumed |
| Market price | Lower (about 20-30 yuan/jin) | Higher (about 40-60 yuan/jin) |
3. The efficacy and risks of bitter almonds
According to the popular science content of recent health accounts, the main effects and precautions of bitter almonds are as follows:
| effect | Risk warning |
|---|---|
| Relieve cough and relieve asthma (Traditional Chinese medicine theory) | No more than 10 grams per day for adults |
| Moisturize the intestines and relieve bowel movements | Pregnant women with children |
| Anti-inflammatory effects (modern research) | Must be processed and used |
| Assist in lowering blood pressure | Raw food may cause poisoning |
4. Recent hot events
1."Homemade Almond Tea Poisoning" incident: A short video blogger caused discomfort by using untreated bitter almonds to make drinks, which triggered discussions on the safety of traditional food ingredients.
2.Price fluctuations in Chinese herbal medicines: Affected by the climate of the origin, the wholesale price of bitter almonds has risen by 12% recently, and pharmaceutical companies have begun to look for alternatives.
3.Food safety warning: Market supervision bureaus in many places have issued a reminder that catering units are strictly prohibited from using bitter almonds as food raw materials.
4.New scientific discoveries: A research team of a university discovered that bitter almond extract has an inhibitory effect on specific cancer cells, and related papers have attracted attention.
5. How to use bitter apricot kernels safely
In combination with recent expert suggestions, the following safe use guidelines are summarized:
| step | Key points of operation |
|---|---|
| Purchase | Choose a regular pharmacy to check the medicinal quality |
| deal with | Boil water for more than 10 minutes to remove poison |
| Dosage | Follow the doctor's advice and do not exceed the amount specified in the pharmacopoeia |
| Taboos | Do not take it with acidic foods |
| store | Sealed and moisture-proof to prevent grease deterioration |
6. Hot opinions on the Internet
1. Traditional schools believe that: "Brutal almonds are a thousand-year-old prescription, and as long as they are used properly, they are safe."
2. The modernist advocates: "A new process for removing toxins and retaining drug efficacy should be developed."
3. Recommended by health bloggers: "Whipping bitter almonds + rock sugar can relieve autumn dryness" (with expert rebuttal: the dosage still needs to be controlled)
4. Science popularization account warns: "Don't blindly believe in folk remedies, the number of poisoning cases increases year by year"
Through the display of the above structured data, we can fully understand the characteristics of bitter almonds and their related hot spots. It should be emphasized that although bitter almonds have certain medicinal value, ordinary consumers should not collect them on their own or use them in large doses. If necessary, they should consult a professional Chinese medicine practitioner. Various "health preservation remedies" circulating on the Internet recently need to be identified with caution, and food safety is always the first priority.
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