Medically reviewed by Miho Hatanaka, RDN, L.D. — Written by Atli Arnarson Ph.D. — Updated on May 14, 2020
Are apple seeds poisonous?
Apples can be a healthful snack or ingredient, but is it dangerous to eat the seeds?
Apples have five seed pockets, with varying numbers of seeds in each pocket. Some believe that apple seeds are poisonous, while others consider them to be healthful.
Most people avoid the seeds, which have a bitter taste, but a person may occasionally eat one or a few by accident and not bother to spit them out. Or, a person may drink juice that contains pulverized seeds.
This article explores scientific research into the safety and risks of eating apple seeds.
Are apple seeds toxic?
Apples contain plenty of healthful compounds, including antioxidants, vitamins, and dietary fiber.
Apple seeds, however, contain a plant compound called amygdalin, which can have a toxic effect.
Amygdalin is a part of the seeds’ chemical defenses. It is harmless when a seed is intact, but when a seed is chewed or otherwise damaged, the amygdalin degrades into hydrogen cyanide. This is very poisonous and even lethal in high doses.
Amygdalin exists in relatively high amounts in the seeds of fruits in the Rosaceae family, which includes apples, almonds, apricots, peaches, and cherries.
People have used cyanide as a poison throughout history. It works by interfering with cells’ oxygen supplies, and high doses may lead to death within minutes.
