Apples, one a day keeps the doctor away; or at least that’s what the old adage says. We all know that apples are healthy for us, particularly when they are organic, but what about the seeds? Apple seeds aren’t something we see in a snack bag, like pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, so are they good for us, or are the seeds a part of the apple we should stay away from?
A scientific study done on one and a half green apples with seeds, showed that apple seeds release cyanide whether chewed or crushed. Apple seeds contain a plant compound called amygdalin. This compound is found in many fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds that fall into the category of the Rose family; apples being one of them. The amygdalin has an important purpose within the plant. It acts as a defense mechanism which is why the seeds are perfectly safe when they are intact, but once the seeds are crushed or chewed the amygdalin transforms itself into hydrogen cyanide.
Hydrogen cyanide is poisonous and lethally so, when consumed in high doses. At extremely high doses it can lead to death in minutes. Cyanide damages and kills due to its interference with a cell’s oxygen supplies. This is how it works. The cyanide restricts the cells’ oxygen which damages or completely destroys the cell.
Do Apple Seeds Release Enough Cyanide to Make You Sick?
In one gram of apple seeds, the amygdalin content ranges from 1-5 grams depending on the variety of the apple. Once the amygdalin is transformed into hydrogen cyanide, the actual amount of cyanide is much less than the amount of the amygdalin. One gram of crushed apple seeds will deliver less than 1 milligram of cyanide. From these numbers, studies show that it would require up to two cups of crushed apple seeds to become dangerous or lethal within your system. This is hardly an amount anyone would choose to eat, but it’s still good to know the poisonous content in any of your most common foods.
Be mindful that your body weight also plays a major factor in how much danger crushed and chewed apple seeds can cause to those who eat them. A toddler would be in much higher danger from eating the crushed seeds of one apple than a full-weight adult. A heavier adult will be at less risk of being poisoned from the hydrogen cyanide than someone who is of a much smaller weight and size. It is similar to the effects of alcohol on the human body.
To be safe, keep apple seeds away from your children and pets, as they will tend not to weigh enough to ward off the dangers, while most adults, who may chew apple seeds accidentally, will most likely be fine, but should still take caution, not just with apple seeds, but with everything you eat on a daily basis.