Appes are a healthful snack and ingredient, but it can be quite dangerous to eat the seeds. Most people avoid the seeds because of the bitter taste it carries, but more than that, chewing the seeds by accident can prove to be insidious to your health. According to a publication by WebMD, apples were listed as one food that can be toxic if a part of it is eaten.
According to webMD, apple seeds contain a plant compound called 'amygdalin' which is a part of the seeds' chemical defenses. It is resting when the seed is intact, but when chewed, the amygdalin degrades into hydrogen cyanide. Eating this can cause cyanide poisoning in humans.
Acute poisoning can lead to decreased consciousness, high blood pressure, paralysis and sometimes comatose. It can be fatal in some cases.
Apples aren't the only fruits with cyanogenic glycosides either. Peaches, apricots, cherry pits, almonds contains cyanides which can poison one to death. This information do not apply to apples only. Best to generally steer clear from fruit seeds.
It is however pertinent to note that swallowing whole apple seeds is less likely to reveal symptoms because the seed coating protects the digestive system, and can pass through the digestive system undamaged. This is why it is often a good idea to remove the seeds before bringing it to your children.
Source: WebMD
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