Quick answers
Eating an avocado pit whole is generally not recommended, but swallowing a pit accidentally is unlikely to cause major health problems in most people. The pit will likely pass through the digestive system without being broken down. However, in rare cases, the pit may get lodged in the digestive tract, cause an intestinal blockage, and require medical intervention.
Is it safe to eat an avocado pit?
Avocado pits are not intended to be eaten whole. The pit is the hard, woody core of the avocado fruit. It contains indigestible fiber and phytochemicals such as tannins and saponins that have anti-nutrient properties. This means they can interfere with the absorption of some nutrients in the body. Eating the pit would provide little nutritional benefit.
However, swallowing an avocado pit whole is generally not considered toxic or immediately dangerous. While it is not recommended, the pit would likely pass through the digestive system without being broken down or absorbed into the body. Still, it is better to avoid swallowing pits to prevent potential risks.
Potential risks of eating an avocado pit
While swallowing an avocado pit may not cause issues in many cases, there are some potential risks to be aware of:
- Intestinal obstruction: The pit could become lodged in a narrow section of the intestines and block the passage of food and waste. This requires emergency medical treatment.
- Intestinal perforation: A large, hard object like a pit could damage or tear the intestinal wall as it passes through.
- Dental damage: Attempting to chew or bite into the very hard pit could crack, chip, or break teeth.
- Toxicity reaction: The tannins and saponins in the pits have anti-nutrient effects that may cause nausea, stomach pain, and nutrient malabsorption in sensitive individuals if pits are eaten regularly.
For these reasons, it is recommended to avoid intentionally eating avocado pits. The risks also increase with the size of the pit, as larger pits are more likely to obstruct or perforate the intestines.
What happens when you swallow an avocado pit?
Here is an overview of what typically happens after accidentally swallowing an avocado pit:
Movement through the digestive tract
After being swallowed, the avocado pit will enter the esophagus and move down towards the stomach. In the stomach, digestive fluids and enzymes will start to break down the outer layer of the pit over 6-8 hours.
However, the indigestible fibers and tough woody interior of the pit are resistant to these digestive juices. The stomach’s churning action will slowly move the intact pit further through the pyloric sphincter into the small intestine.
The pit may take 24-48 hours to make its way through the 20+ feet of the small intestine. Its rugged, oval shape should allow it to safely pass through without perforating the intestinal lining or fully obstructing the diameter of the intestines.
Eventually, it will reach the large intestine, pass through the colon, and exit the body during a normal bowel movement. The limited digestion in the stomach may have softened and eroded the outer coating of the pit over this 24-72 hour transit time.
Symptoms
Most people will not experience any symptoms from swallowing an avocado pit, since it will naturally pass through the GI tract. However, some possible symptoms include:
- Feeling of fullness, bloating, nausea
- Stomach cramps or pain
- Constipation lasting more than 3 days
- Inability to pass gas or stool
- Vomiting
Severe symptoms like intense abdominal pain, vomiting, fever, or bloody stool may indicate a dangerous intestinal obstruction or perforation requiring urgent medical help.
Time to pass
The time it takes the avocado pit to pass through the complete digestive system may vary between 24-72 hours on average. However, it can take over a week in some cases. Factors that influence transit time include:
- Size of the pit – larger pits may take longer
- Digestive motility – slower GI transit delays movement
- Bowel obstructions – can block forward progress
- Constrictions or diverticula – may temporarily trap the pit
- Stool consistency – constipation slows elimination
Keep monitoring stools daily until the pit has passed. If it has not passed after 7-10 days or symptoms of obstruction occur, see a doctor for evaluation.
When to seek help
In most cases, accidentally swallowing an avocado pit will not cause major complications. You can wait and let the pit pass naturally without intervention. However, you should seek prompt medical attention if you experience any of the following:
- Severe or persistent abdominal pain
- Constipation lasting more than 3 days
- Signs of intestinal obstruction – inability to pass stool/gas, vomiting, fever, bloating, cramps
- Signs of intestinal perforation – severe abdominal pain, fever, bloody stool
- The pit has not passed after 7-10 days
Intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency requiring hospital care. Blockages left untreated can cause bowel perforation, tissue death, sepsis and death if not managed promptly. So don’t hesitate to go to the ER or call 911 if you have alarming symptoms.
Diagnosis and treatment
If you visit the emergency room with signs of intestinal obstruction from swallowing an avocado pit, the doctor will likely order the following tests and procedures:
- Physical exam of your abdomen – palpation, listening for bowel sounds
- Blood tests – to check for signs of infection or electrolyte abnormalities
- CT scan of the abdomen/pelvis – locates obstruction and checks for complications
- X-rays – may visualize the location of the obstructing pit
- Nasogastric tube insertion – to suction out stomach contents and decompress bowels
Initial treatment focuses on stabilizing your condition and relieving the obstruction through non-surgical approaches, such as:
- IV fluids and electrolyte replacement
- Nasogastric suction
- Medications – laxatives, pro-motility agents, pain relievers, antibiotics
- Enemas or manual disimpaction – attempt to clear obstruction
- Endoscopy – may be used to retrieve object obstructing lumen
If non-surgical efforts fail and a complete intestinal blockage with complications is confirmed, immediate surgery may be required. This may involve:
- Laparotomy – open incision into abdomen to locate and remove obstruction
- Enterotomy – incision into intestines to remove obstructing object
- Resection and anastomosis – removing damaged section of intestine and reconnecting healthy ends
- Colostomy – creating an alternate passageway for waste removal
Prompt surgical intervention greatly improves outcomes and prevents progression to bowel infarction, perforation, peritonitis, sepsis and death in cases of complete obstruction.
Preventing complications and recurrence
If surgery was required for an obstructing avocado pit, your doctors will advise you on any lifestyle changes or preventative measures to reduce complications and recurrence risk, which may include:
- Starting a low fiber diet – avoids irritation of surgical bowel sites
- Avoiding trigger foods – certain fruits/veggies may aggravate obstructions
- Early ambulation – walking soon after surgery prevents ileus
- Offloading stomas – techniques to protect ostomy sites
- Medications – laxatives, antispasmodics, antidiarrheals as needed
- Follow-up exams – monitor for strictures or occlusion
You will also need to be vigilant about chewing food thoroughly going forward and avoiding known gastrointestinal obstructions triggers. Report any recurrent symptoms of obstruction, such as constipation, nausea or abdominal pain to your doctor.
Long-term outlook
The long-term outlook after swallowing an avocado pit varies depending on the severity of complications and treatment required:
- No complications – Most pits pass without issues. No negative long-term effects once passed.
- Medically managed obstruction – Non-surgical treatment has good prognosis. May recur in 10-20% of cases.
- Surgically treated obstruction – Higher recurrence with strictures. Continued GI issues common.
- Bowel resection – Increased diarrhea, malabsorption, malnutrition risks long-term.
While severe complications can occur, full recovery and return to normal GI function are possible after surgical treatment and bowel rest. Be alert for any persistent abdominal symptoms after obstruction resolution.
Can avocado pits be broken down?
Avocado pits are extremely hardy and designed by nature to pass through an animal’s digestive system intact. The pit consists of dense, woody plant fibers encased in a leathery skin rich in indigestible tannins and phenols.
Stomach acids and digestive enzymes have difficulty penetrating and breaking down this tough exterior. The pit also absorbs and binds to moisture, enabling it to travel smoothly through the intestines without getting lodged.
While the outermost layer of the pit may gradually erode during transit through the digestive tract, the inner woody core is rarely broken down enough to be digested and absorbed in the body.
In some cases, very minor pit fragments may get separated and pass out in feces. But this represents just a miniscule portion of the overall mass, as the main structure remains intact.
The pit may lose up to 25% of its mass through digestive processes, but the total dissolution and assimilation of all pit material is highly unlikely.
Factors that help pits survive digestion
Several key attributes of avocado pits allow them to withstand breakdown in the GI tract:
- Hardness – The dense, wood-like fibers cannot be crushed by stomach/intestines.
- Moisture-absorption – THIS HELPS THE PIT PASS SMOOTHLY.
- Tannins – These indigestible phenols bind proteins and minerals, inhibiting digestion.
- Oval shape – Allows forward progress through intestines without perforation.
- Smooth surface – Lessens risk of damaging intestinal walls during transit.
As long as the pit remains intact, it will maintain its fibrous structure and pass through without being absorbed. Only fragmented pieces may get digested.
The bottom line
Swallowing an avocado pit whole is generally not recommended, but it is unlikely to cause major health risks for most people as it can pass undigested through the GI tract. However, in rare cases it may obstruct or perforate the intestines, requiring urgent medical care.
While small pit fragments can occasionally get separated during digestion, the main pit structure remains intact. To prevent potential complications, avoid intentionally eating avocado pits. But try not to panic if one is swallowed accidentally.
Monitor your symptoms and bowel movements closely and seek prompt medical attention if signs of intestinal obstruction develop after swallowing a pit. With proper treatment, the outlook is often very good.
