Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a natural compound that releases cyanide, a highly toxic chemical, when digested.
Cyanide is highly toxic and can damage the heart and brain, potentially causing coma or death at sufficiently high doses. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that an oral cyanide dose of around 1–2 milligrams per kilogram of body weight can be fatal.
A plate of apples. Photo from Xiaohongshu |
However, accidentally swallowing a few apple seeds is unlikely to cause harm. The body can process small amounts of cyanide, and whole seeds usually pass through the digestive system without releasing it because of their tough outer coating, according to Healthline.
The risk rises mainly when large numbers of seeds are chewed or crushed, allowing amygdalin to be released. An adult would need to chew and swallow around 200 apple seeds, equivalent to approximately 40 apple cores, to receive a potentially fatal cyanide dose, according to the CDC.
Since apple seeds offer no nutritional benefits, it is still advisable not to chew or deliberately eat them. Removing and discarding them is the safest option.
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