Are Apple Seeds Toxic: What You Need to Know

According to information from Rospotrebnadzor, 200 apple seeds can have a toxic effect on the body due to the presence of hydrocyanic acid, which is a strong poison, reports Sports.kz referring to Pravda.ru.

However, for the seeds to do harm, you must not only eat them, but also chew them well. It is common knowledge that both apples and their seeds are usually harmless.

In addition to this, the group also stressed that people suffering from cardiovascular diseases should prevent the consumption of large amounts of red apples. On the eve of Apple Savior, experts also shared other interesting facts about apples.

Apple Spas and the origin of apples

In Russia, on August 19, Orthodox believers celebrate the Transfiguration of the Lord, also known as the Apple Savior. This traditional holiday has its own interesting connection to apples. In the past, when the summer ended, it was customary to bless the harvest, and apples, as one of the most common fruits, were often a sign of fruit. So they were blessed.

But, what do we know about apples today? According to the information presented on the Healthy Nutrition portal of Rospotrebnadzor, apples were not so popular at first. Researchers claim that today’s Kazakhstan is considered their homeland. It is no coincidence that the word “Almaty” in Kazakh is translated as “apple tree”.

What is also interesting is that the taste and appearance of apples has changed over time. Today, these fruits thrive almost everywhere, even in dry and cold climates. There are more than 7,500 types of apple trees in the world, and more than 300 types of this fruit are grown in Russia.

Who should not eat apples?

The benefits of apples have been emphasized many times already. According to the opinions of a nutritionist from the Omsk Central Hospital, Larisa Rybina, even eating just one apple a day can reduce the likelihood of cancer, the level of “bad” cholesterol and promote healthy thyroid function. All in all, this is a real miracle, and not just a product.

However, damage to apples is not so rare. Some people should be careful about eating more of these fruits. Experts from Rospotrebnadzor note that people suffering from diseases of the cardiovascular system are recommended to avoid red varieties of apples.

In addition, studies have shown that people who eat a lot of apples or who regularly consume apple juice have problems with their tooth enamel. This is an important part of our body that cannot be restored. We talked in more detail about maintaining healthy teeth and enamel in previous publications.

Is it possible to die from apples?

Maybe each of us at least once in our life thinks if it is possible to eat apple seeds. Despite the fact that they do not taste very pleasant, many people believe that they do no harm. Of course, this is true, but it is worth considering one positive detail.

Apple seeds contain amygdalin, an organic substance that can be converted in the body to hydrocyanic acid, a powerful toxic compound. Salts of this acid are called cyanides. Hydrocyanic acid itself gives the seeds a bitter taste, reminiscent of bitter almonds.

However, you should not worry too much: you will only get poisoned if you eat 200 of these seeds, and then if you chew them carefully.

Is it possible to eat a dark apple?

If you go into an apple and leave it exposed to the air, the bitten area will darken quickly. People often mistakenly believe that this is due to the iron oxidation found in the fruit. However, the root of the problem is different.

Apples contain antioxidants that are oxidized by the enzyme polyphenol oxidase. When oxygen starts to work, these substances start to interact. The “darkness” that appears on the pulp actually protects the fruit from pests. However, the question arises: is this apple safe to eat?

Nutritionist Elena Solomatina assures: there is no risk, and you will certainly not turn into a little goat. The apple does not spoil due to oxidation. The only thing that suffers is the appearance of the fruit. If you want to test, bite into a piece of apple, then pour lemon juice and sugar over the “damaged” area. This way the meat will not darken.

It is important to remember that it is important to distinguish between oxidation and rot, because rotting can be dangerous to health. There is visible mold on the surface right at the tip of the iceberg; in fact, the mycelium penetrates much deeper, and the spores can spread throughout the entire fruit.