Did you know that the seeds of some fruits can be poisonous? Here’s what they are and how you should behave to avoid problems.
Of all the fruits that are available all year round, apples are undoubtedly the best known and most popular. Available in different varieties, crunchy and juicy, they adapt to any occasion, but special attention must be paid to a detail that is often overlooked: the seeds.
Apples and seeds, what to look out for
Apples are one of the most widespread and popular fruits practically all over the world. In addition to their distinctive flavor, apples provide a rich variety of vitamins, fiber, and antioxidants. They are available all year round and are one of the most popular fruits, especially among the little ones.
However, when we are busy enjoying a juicy apple, we often do not pay attention to the seeds it contains, especially if we tend to bite into the fruit without cutting it.
Apple seeds are considered poisonous, but can actually be swallowed unintentionally without causing serious health risks. But there is one detail 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 has felt.
Amygdala is a substance found in the seeds of apples and other fruits such as peaches and apricots. Basically, the amygdala is harmless, although it contains hydrogen cyanide, which is also known as cyanide. The latter is known for its high toxicity and can be very dangerous if taken in high doses.
However, there is no need to worry: the amount of amygdala contained in the heart of an apple is so small that the human body is able to process and excrete it without any health risk.
What happens if you swallow the core of an apple?
Therefore, the occasional or unintentional ingestion of semen does not pose a danger to humans, but in some situations it is advisable to pay more attention to it. Young children or pets may be more susceptible to the effects of hydrogen cyanide because their digestive system may not tolerate this substance as well as that of an adult. Always make sure that children and pets do not swallow apple seeds, even if one or two of them should not cause any harm.
However, a significant reaction is unlikely to occur unless large amounts of semen are ingested. It is estimated that it is necessary to consume about 200 seeds to have negative effects on an adult’s body, which is a decidedly high number for anyone.
In addition, the substance that is dangerous to our body is released when the semen is broken, so there will be no problems if you swallow it whole without chewing it.
Therefore, it is not necessary to demonize apples, but only to pay attention to their seeds. If they accidentally end up in your mouth, don’t worry. If you want to use apples for cooking instead, simply remove the seeds before using them as an ingredient. In the case of shakes or centrifuged juices, it is also advisable to remove the seeds beforehand to avoid them breaking and releasing the almonds in the juices.
