Did you know that the seeds of some fruits can be poisonous? Here’s what they are and how to avoid problems.
Fruit seeds
Of all the fruits available year-round, apples are undoubtedly the most iconic and beloved. Available in a variety of flavors, crisp and juicy, they’re perfect for any occasion. But special attention should be paid to one often-overlooked detail: the seeds.
Apples and seeds, what to watch out for
Apples are one of the most widespread and popular fruits found almost everywhere on the planet. In addition to their incomparable flavor, apples provide a rich variety of vitamins , fiber, and antioxidants. Available year-round, they are among the most popular fruits, especially among children.
Often, however, when we are enjoying a juicy apple, we do not pay attention to the seeds it contains , especially if we are used to biting into the fruit without cutting it.
Apple seeds
Apple seeds are considered poisonous , but in reality they can be accidentally ingested without any serious health risks. But there is one detail that is essential to pay attention to: these seeds contain traces of a substance called amygdalin , which leaves a bitter taste in the mouth that anyone who has accidentally bitten into a seed will have experienced.
Amygdalin is a substance found in apple seeds and other fruits, such as peaches and apricots. Amygdalin is basically harmless, although it does contain hydrocyanic acid , also known as cyanide. The latter is known to be highly toxic and can be very dangerous if ingested in large doses .
There is no reason to worry, however: the amount of amygdalin present in an apple seed is so minimal that the human body is able to manage and eliminate it without any health risks.
What happens if you ingest an apple seed?
Therefore, occasional or involuntary ingestion of seeds does not pose a threat to humans, however, in certain situations it is advisable to pay more attention to it . Young children or pets may be more sensitive to the effects of hydrogen cyanide, as their digestive systems may not tolerate this substance as well as that of an adult. Always make sure that children and pets do not ingest apple seeds , even if one or two should not cause any danger.
However, a significant reaction is unlikely to occur unless large quantities of seeds are ingested. It is estimated that to have negative effects on an adult’s body, one would need to ingest about 200 seeds—a decidedly high number for anyone.
Apples
Furthermore, the substance that poses a risk to our body is released when the seed breaks , so if it were swallowed whole, without being chewed, there would be no problem.
So, there’s no need to demonize apples; just be careful with their seeds. If they accidentally end up in your mouth, there’s no reason to be alarmed. If you want to use apples for cooking instead , simply remove the seeds before using them as an ingredient. Even in the case of smoothies or centrifuged juices, it’s recommended to remove the seeds first to avoid breaking them and releasing amygdalin into the juices.