by 
The Curious Bag
-
Many fruit seeds are poisonous if eaten. These seeds contain a cyanide and sugar compound known as amygdalin, which breaks down into the poison hydrogen cyanide when metabolized within the body.
Fact
Apple, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach, and plum seeds all contain cyanide.
Significance
Fruits have toxic seeds as protection against animals. Since the seeds can't be eaten, they must be discarded, allowing for continued propagation of the fruit.
Effects
Eating poisonous fruit seeds can cause abdominal pain, excessive sweating, lethargy, and vomiting. In severe instances, coma, convulsions and even death may result.
Considerations
The body detoxifies small amounts of cyanide without much trouble. You would have to ingest large amounts of apple seeds before suffering fatal consequences.
Features
While apricot and peach pits are large enough to avoid, apple seeds may sometimes be accidentally ingested. Apple seeds have a hard, durable outer shell that can pass through the digestive system unharmed, preventing the release of harmful toxins.
Source:
RELATED QUESTIONS
Copyright 2023, Wired Ivy, LLC