Apple Seeds Contain Cyanide, Harmful?

Medical Video: What If You Ate Apple Seeds by Accident?

Apples are indeed a healthy and refreshing fruit. In addition, apples also have amazing benefits for the body. The antioxidant content found in apples can protect the body from damage due to oxidation. However, later news circulated that apple seeds contain cyanide. For those of you apple lovers, it's natural if you feel worried. Indeed, what you eat is apple meat, but if it's true that apple seeds contain cyanide, does this mean that if you accidentally swallow apple seeds, is there a risk of cyanide poisoning?

Is it true that apple seeds contain cyanide?

Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a substance that can secrete cyanide when it comes in contact with human digestive enzymes. However, acute poisoning caused by accidentally ingested apple seeds is a rare case. Amygdalin is not only found in apples, but you can also find apricot seeds, peach seeds, prunes, and almonds.

What is amygdalin? Amygdalin is a poison glycoside that can produce hydrogen cyanide, when combined with gastrointestinal / digestive enzymes. Compared to apples, fruit seeds that have larger amygdalin substances are apricots and peaches. Of course, when you hear the word 'cyanide', what you have in mind is 'poisoning'. You need to know that fruit or seeds containing amygdalin can be processed to remove the toxic substances. For example, the toxins contained in almonds can be processed in such a way that they are either eliminated by toxic substances, or are converted into dangerous substances.

Can eating apple seeds cause cyanide poisoning?

Of course, you have heard that cyanide is a deadly poison. Cyanide has a long history of use in chemical warfare and mass suicide. What about cyanide in apple seeds, is it also dangerous? In fact, there are only a few amygdalin substances in apple seeds. In addition, to convert it to cyanide, you have to chew the seeds.

If these seeds are chewed just a little, it certainly doesn't matter. This small amount can be detoxified by the enzymes that are in your body. In small amounts, the body converts cyanide to thiocyanate, which is harmless and can be excreted by urine. In addition, it turns out that this small amount is beneficial for maintaining nerve health and red blood cells, when combined with other chemicals that can form vitamin B12. However, different opinions expressed by the Agency for the Toxic Substances & Disease Registry, quoted by the Healthline website, according to him, even a minimal amount is still dangerous. Contaminated with cyanide can cause heart damage, and brain, even coma, and death.

If you eat it in large quantities, it will certainly be dangerous. Large amounts of cyanide can bind to the function of blood cells that carry oxygen, because these substances can enter quickly into the bloodstream. In an instant, the cell will lack oxygen and of course the cell will die. Cyanide poisons will attack the heart, respiratory system, and central nervous system.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, quoted by the Healthline website, the dose of cyanide that can cause fatal conditions is around 1-2mg / kg, or roughly you should eat around 200 apple seeds, or 20 parts of the apple. With the pros and cons that exist, it's best not to eat apple seeds, besides being careful, the taste is also bitter. Of course it's better, you just eat the apple meat, which is refreshing and healthy.

What are the symptoms of cyanide poisoning?

There are several health effects due to cyanide poisoning or most cyanide intake, this sign can occur in a few seconds to minutes. Some of these signs are:

Feeling weak, and confused
Headache
Nausea, abdominal pain
Difficulty breathing
Seizures
Heart failure
Fast heart rate
Trembling

How do you deal with cyanide poisoning?

Cyanide poisoning can be treated with professional medical personnel. Usually patients are given oxygen. Inhaling fresh air can be one step to overcome it. Sodium nitrite and sodium thiosulfate are usually used to stop the effects of poisoning. Serious symptoms require immediate medical help, because patients can cause loss of consciousness.

What about apple seed oil?

Apple seed oil is an additional product of processing the juice, and is made from raw apple pomace. Usually apple seed oil is used because of the fragrance, but it is also good for relieving skin inflammation and improving hair condition. Some studies say that apple seed oil is a source of antioxidants and has the potential as an anticancer. Other studies have even found apple seed oil to fight bacteria and fungi. Cyanide can be formed if amygdalin in apple seeds reacts to digestive enzymes, aka if swallowed.