Where is grayanotoxin found?
Grayanotoxins are plant toxins that occur in some rhododendron species, among others. The substances can also be found in honey if bees have processed the nectar of these plants. This is mainly known to occur in the Turkish Black Sea region. Grayanotoxin is a naturally occurring sodium channel toxin which enters the human food supply by honey made from the pollen and nectar of the plant family Ericaceae in which rhododendron is a genus.Abstract. Several plants of the Ericaceae family produce grayanotoxins which can poison humans. The best-known of these intoxications involves the eating of ‘mad honey (deli bal in Turkish)’ contaminated by Rhododendron nectar grayanotoxins.Consumption of grayanotoxin containing leaves, flowers or secondary products as honey may result in intoxication specifically characterized by dizziness, hypotension and atrial-ventricular block.
How long does grayanotoxin stay in your system?
It is believed, however, that grayanotoxins are rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract because of a rapid onset of clinical signs after exposure. Duration of clinical signs is usually about 1 to 2 days, indicating that grayanotoxins undergo rapid metabolism and excretion. The symptoms generally last less than 24 h as the grayanotoxin is metabolized and excreted within 24 h [25]. With increasing amount of acute ingestion, toxic effects appear to be more severe.Symptoms of grayanotoxin poisoning usually occur within 3 hours of ingestion. Common symptoms include nausea and vomiting, sweating, and dizziness. Like the cardiac glycosides, clinical signs of grayanotoxin toxicity include hypotension and bradycardia.As grayanotoxins are metabolized and excreted rapidly, patients generally regain consciousness and feel better within hours, and heart rate and blood pressure usually return to normal within 2–9 h (Gunduz et al.
Does cooking destroy grayanotoxin?
Additionally, patients may develop dizziness, nausea and vomiting, weakness, sweating, blurred vision, diplopia and impaired consciousness. The heating of processed honey may kill grayanotoxin. No, honey does not become poisonous when cooked or heated; however, heating honey does destroy some of its enzymes and beneficial compounds, potentially reducing its health benefits and altering its flavor.