Did you know that the seeds of some fruits can be poisonous? Here are what they are and how to behave to avoid problems.
Of all the fruit available throughout the year, apples are certainly the most iconic and loved. Present in different varieties, crunchy and juicy, they are perfect for any occasion. But special attention must be paid to an often overlooked detail: the seeds.
Apples and seeds, what to pay attention to
Apples are one of the most popular and appreciated fruits practically all over the planet. In addition to their unmistakable flavor, apples provide a rich variety of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. Available throughout the year, they are among the most popular fruits even and especially by the little ones.
Often, however, while you are intent on enjoying a juicy apple, you do not pay due attention to the seeds inside, especially if you are used to biting into the fruit without cutting it.
Apple seeds are considered toxic, in fact they can be accidentally ingested without serious health danger. But there is one detail that you need 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 the seeds of apples and other fruits, such as peaches and apricots. Basically, amygdalin is harmless, although it contains hydrogen cyanide, also known as cyanide. The latter is famous for being highly poisonous and if ingested in high doses it can be really dangerous.
However, there is no reason to worry: 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 risk.
What happens if you ingest an apple seed
Occasional or involuntary ingestions of seeds therefore do not pose a threat to humans, however in some situations it is good to pay more attention. Young children or pets may be more susceptible to the effects of hydrogen cyanide, as their digestive system may not tolerate this substance as well as an adult. Always make sure that children and pets do not ingest apple seeds, even if one or two should not cause harm.
However, a significant reaction is unlikely to occur unless large amounts of seeds are ingested. It is estimated that to have negative effects on the body of an adultor you have to ingest about 200 seeds, a very high number for anyone.
In addition, the substance that is risky for our body is released when the seed is broken, so if it were swallowed whole, without being chewed, there would be no problem.
It is therefore not necessary to demonize apples, just be careful with their seeds. If they accidentally end up in your mouth, there is no reason to be alarmed. If you want to use apples for cooking, just remove the seeds before using them as an ingredient. Even in the case of smoothies or centrifuges, it is recommended to remove the seeds in advance to avoid breaking them and releasing the amygdalin into the juices.
