Eating one or two apple seeds by accident, or drinking juice that contains a few pulverized seeds, is unlikely to cause problems. But if a person or animal consumes a lot of apple seeds, it could make them sick.
Culmination seeds, in addition to apricots and pears, also contain the same chemical. People can safely eat those seeds by avoiding the seeds, bones, or pits.
If a person has swallowed a lot of seeds, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 or use the POISONCONTROL online tool.
This article explores the clinical aspects of protection and dangers of eating apple seeds.
Yes, apple seeds can be toxic. They contain low amounts of a compound known as amygdalin. If a person crushes or chews the seeds, this releases the amygdalin inside. In the stomach, the amygdalin then reacts with enzymes to produce a toxin known as hydrogen cyanide.
Cyanide is very poisonous. However, it is important to note that for there to be any harmful effects, a person would have to eat a significant amount of crushed apple seeds, which is unlikely to occur.
The apple around the seeds is for eating and can be part of a healthy diet. Apples contain favorable antioxidants, nutrients and nutritional fiber.
People have used cyanide as a poison throughout history. It works by interfering with oxygen supply to cells. The symptoms become apparent in a few minutes to a few hours.
Mild cases of cyanide poisoning include:
More severe poisoning can lead to:
Eating some apple seeds can cause any symptoms. However, eating or drinking large amounts of ground or crushed seeds can lead to cyanide poisoning if the dose is high enough.
A lethal dose of cyanide is around 50–300 milligrams (mg). A 2018 analysis of previous research states that a person would have to eat around 83–500 seeds to develop acute cyanide poisoning.
However, the precise amount of cyanide that will cause a user to be in poor health depends on their weight and tolerance. The variety of apple and the state of the seeds are also points to consider.
A previous 2015 study on apples in the UK found that amygdalin content is highest in varieties:
Varieties such as Braeburn and Egremont Russet had the lowest amounts.
Nevertheless, it is probably a good idea to remove the seeds from all apples before giving them to young children or pets.
Apple juice will not contain cyanide if it does not contain pulverized seeds. But if the juice or smoothie contains whole crushed applies, it may contain some amygdalin or cyanide.
A 2018 study of different juices and smoothies in the United States found that some products using whole apples did contain detectable amounts of cyanide, while others did not.
Products that did not contain cyanide had undergone pasteurization, which is a type of heat treatment that kills germs. Cyanide has a very low boiling point, so heating it causes it to vaporize, reducing its amount in food.
The 2015 apple juice study found that the amygdalin content of commercially available products is low, between 0. 01 and 0. 007 milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL). The authors conclude that this is unlikely to be harmful, but still recommend cutting the apple. seeds before juicing.
Many plant-based foods contain compounds that produce cyanide. Previous studies have discovered at least 55 other cyanogenic chemicals in more than 2,650 plant species.
Apples belong to the Rosaceae family of plants, many of which contain amygdala in their seeds, stones or pips. This includes:
But again, only seeds pose a risk. The culmination is eating.
An exception to this are nuts in the Rosacaea family, such as almonds and cashews, as well as flaxseeds. These foods are in themselves seeds, and so do contain some amygdalin.
However, the species influences the amount of amygdalin in those foods. For example, sour almonds contain much more amygdalin than sweet almonds that you can buy in stores.
Processing methods are also an important factor. As with apple juice, heating foods that contain cyanide causes the toxin to vaporize, making roasted or cooked almonds safer than raw almonds. A 2018 study showed that pasteurizing almond milk reduces the amount of amygdalin it contains to negligible levels.
The flesh and skin of apples can be a valuable component of a healthy diet, but chewing or crushing apple seeds releases amygdalin. In the stomach, this compound produces a small amount of cyanide, which is highly toxic.
People can easily avoid the amygdalin in apple seeds by cutting them or eating near them. It is also advisable to opt for drinks made with apples that have been pasteurized, especially for children.
If a user eats a few apple seeds, it’s unlikely to hurt them. But in sufficient quantities, the cyanide-producing compounds of any plant can be dangerous. Seek help if a user has eaten a giant amount of apple seeds or if they spread. Symptoms after eating apple seeds.
Last medically reviewed on February 15, 2024
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