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Saturday, July 3, 2010

Do Apple seeds really contain Cyanide?

Do Apple seeds really contain Cyanide?

Cyanide is any chemical compound made-up of Carbon and Nitrogen. This compound is considered poisonus. When ingested cyanide prohibits blood from carrying oxygen, causing death by suffocation. This compound is illegally used in fishing and is responsible for the damage on coral reefs and death of marine life.
Certain kinds of bacteria are responsible in producing cyanide and it can also be found in some plants. Apple seeds (or pips) contain a cyanide-sugar compound. This is said to be a defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores.
Don’t be alarmed by this fact. Since our body is able to detoxify small doses of cyanide, we are partially immuned. It would take a really large quantity of apple seeds to cause fatality. Also, the tough outer shell of the apple seed makes sure that the fatal compound stays inside
As a precaution, please do not test the toughness of the apple seed. Don’t intentionally crush it by biting. Don’t even think of swallowing it. Remember that an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Keep yourselves safe always!

 

 

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