Can you eat apple seeds when pregnant?
In this brief guide, we will answer the question: “Can you eat apple seeds when pregnant?” We will also debate the origin of apples, the possible effects caused by the ingestion of the apple seeds, what to do if you can ingest apple seeds by accident and why is the consumption of apple seeds especially dangerous to pregnant women.
Can you eat apple seeds when pregnant?
No, you can not eat apple seeds when pregnant. Actually, you must not eat apple seeds in any case, since it is a poisonous food that can even cause death. For non pregnant people, the ingestion of apple seeds can cause vomit and diarrhea, but these symptoms are especially dangerous to pregnant women, since it can cause dehydration.
What is the origin of apples?
The origin of apple refers to paleolithic time, around 750.000 years ago in today’s Kazakhstan. Although it is believed that apples were cultivated by ancient sedentary humans only 8000 years ago in the Neolithic, mainly in Asia. It wasn’t until 200 BC that apples were brought into Europe.
It wasn’t until it came to England that apples started to be used in different desserts as pies, cakes and sweets. Due to its high nutrient content, it did not take long for pregnant women to be advised to eat apples. Consuming apples while pregnant can also help with digestion, due to its high fiber content and improving your energy in the morning because of the sugar.
What are the probable effects of eating apple seeds while pregnant?
There are dangerous effects in eating apple seeds while pregnant. That happens because apple seeds have amygdalin, which is a substance that releases cyanide slowly when in contact with enzymes from our digest system. Because it is released during the digestion and slowly, it can take a little longer for you to realize the effects.
Although only high amounts of cyanide is considered deathly, around 1-2 milligram per kilo for a 70 kilo adult man, a low dose can also cause a few dangerous effects for your heart and brain. In pregnant women the effects are even harder, because it causes vomiting, nausea, dizziness, confusion and cramps, which are particularly dangerous in pregnancy.
Pregnant women may also take care when eating cherries, apricots and peaches, which are easily found fruits that also contain amygdalin and, for instance, cyanide. Those fruits, including apples, have a protective cover on the seed, so you’re not directly exposed to cyanide, but it is still dangerous.
It is important to notice that although being originated from apple seeds, apple seed oil is not dangerous in any form to humans, since the amygdalin rate is very small. Apple seed oil is even used in cosmetics, desserts and therapeutic material, not offering any kind of harm.
What to do if you eat apple seeds by accident?
If you eat apple seeds by accident, you actually need to wait and observe the effects. If you just swallowed a few apple seeds, remain calm, because it is most likely that the seed cover will not release the cyanide in your digestive system. However, if you chew the apple seeds, you probably would break the cover seed and that can cause the effects already cited.
If you experience symptoms like nausea, headaches, abdominal pain, vomiting or diarrhea, just keep calm. It is not a good sensation, but it will pass with time, so just remember to keep hydrated. However, if you start to feel that it is hard to breathe, observe seizures or have lost consciousness, look up for hospitals close to you and seek health treatment.
Why is the consumption of apple seeds especially dangerous to pregnant women?
The consumption of apple seeds is especially dangerous to pregnant women because during pregnancy the human body is more sensitive, since it is preparing to give birth to another human being. Any of the symptoms and effects already cited can be more dangerous during pregnancy.
Dehydration due to vomiting and diarrhea and abdominal cramps can harm not only the pregnant woman, but also the fetus, as it can rush the birth time and increase the heart beats, leading to future heart conditions.
Other FAQs about Apple that you may be interested in.
Can you eat apples when you have diarrhea?
Conclusion
In this brief guide, we have addressed the question: “Can you eat apple seeds when pregnant?” We also talked about the origin of apples, the possible effects caused by the ingestion of the apple seeds, what to do if you can ingest apple seeds by accident and why is the consumption of apple seeds especially dangerous to pregnant women.
Hope you found this blog useful. If you have any questions, please let us know.
Citations
https://www.healthguide911.com/2017/06/what-happens-when-you-eat-apple-seeds.html
https://www.healthline.com/health/food-nutrition/are-apple-seeds-poisonous#lethal-dose
https://parenting.firstcry.com/articles/eating-apple-during-pregnancy-health-benefits-and-more/
