Is there cyanide in apple seeds?

TRUE: Apple seeds contain a cyanide compound. FALSE: Ordinary consumption of seed-containing apples poses a harm to consumers. Origins: When we think of dangers lurking in our food, we tend to concentrate on the threats posed by chemical additives or by improper and careless handling. read more

Apple seeds contain amygdalin, a substance that releases cyanide into the blood stream when chewed and digested. However, apple seeds in small amounts do not contain enough cyanide to cause harm. However, it is better to spit out seeds to avoid any potential issues. read more

Symptoms of cyanide poisoning include stomach cramps, headache, nausea and vomiting, and can culminate in cardiac arrest, respiratory failure, coma and death. A fatal dose for humans can be as low as 1.5 milligrams per kilogram of body weight. In a recent study, the amygdalin content of apple seeds was found to be approximately 3 milligrams per gram of seeds (one seed is approximately 0.7g). read more