Apples are good for your health! Everyone knows that. What about apple seeds? What can be said about them? Nutritionists have no unequivocal opinion. To understand whether to take a closer look at them and use them in food, you need to figure it out. So what are apple seeds? What are the benefits and what harm them for the human body.
Apple seeds are considered harmful and even dangerous just because of one fact - the content of a substance that can decompose to cyanine. This toxic substance has a bad effect on humans.
However, not all so simple. Apple seeds are good for you! Their regular use will help replenish the supply of elements that help the body function normally. To do this, it is not necessary to extract them from the apple, you can eat them with it. So delicious!
What is the use of apple seeds?
Let's look at the positive effects of seeds on the body:
- They have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the immune, endocrine, cardiovascular and nervous systems in the body, as well as on the digestive tract.
- They destroy microbes, having a bactericidal and wound healing effect.
- Their use can be considered cancer prevention. In apple seeds, there is letril or vitamin B17, which does not allow cancer cells to multiply.
- Save from a headache and migraines, because they have an antispasmodic effect.
- Rejuvenate. Hair and skin will be healthier, wrinkles will become less noticeable, apple seeds can also be used to make homemade cosmetics, they are ideal for the role of abrasive elements of scrubs.
- They contain organic iodine, with a lack of which memory deteriorates and rapid fatigue appears.
- Rich in protein, sucrose and fatty oils.
- The chlorogenic acid in their composition will remove oxalic acid from the body and facilitate the work of the liver.
- They also have potassium - it is important for bones and the cardiovascular system. In the bones of it a lot - as much as two hundred milligrams. Vitamin complexes are no longer needed - potassium from them is absorbed worse. Better just buy apples.
Apple seed damage
What is the harm of apple seeds? They contain amygdalin glycoside related to cyanides, that is, the strongest poisons. Do not be scared. Since, if the dosage is not exceeded, then nothing bad will happen, and apple seeds will bring the body only benefit.
Up to eight are recommended per day. Exceeding the norm will lead to poisoning of the body. And its consequences are vomiting, dizziness and impaired functioning of many organs.
When does a person need a doctor?
A signal to call an ambulance and gastric lavage will be:
- shortness of breath, which turns into suffocation;
- unstable blood pressure;
- uneven heart rate or arrhythmia;
- nausea or vomiting
- headache;
- the release of large amounts of saliva.
How much should you eat to improve your health?
Beauticians say that you can eat apple seeds in the amount of seven pieces. Some doctors say that just five bones daily will be enough to maintain iodine at the right level. It is important to make up for its deficiency with other products, and not just apple seeds. There is no consensus here, you need to be guided by your preferences and not exceed the established limit.
How to choose seeds that will bring maximum effect?
The first rule is to choose the right apple. It should be ripe, not wrinkled and without spots. You need to look further at the insides. Seeds are dark, voluminous? Hence, the choice is made correctly. As for the rot on the apple: if it is, then it is better not to take it. It happens that mold forms on the seeds. In this case, they should be thrown away and used by others. It is worth remembering: apple seeds must be fresh. Only in this case they retain useful properties.
What apples are really high quality?
Often in stores you can find large and very attractive fruits with a shiny peel and "thereby" glare on the side. But after the purchase, it turns out that they have neither taste nor smell. How not to make a mistake next time? Easy!
- Purchasing the rule “the redder the better” does not work. You need to focus on the apple variety. The most useful: Simirenka and Antonovka. If you want sweets, then you can take Golden, it is green, but tasty.
- Large size is not an indicator of quality. The most ideal fruits are medium. It’s easy to identify them, you just have to take it in hand. If the fruit is firm and resilient, then the choice is right.
- The smell should be. There are apples that don't smell at all. It is better to put them aside.
If the credibility of the products in the store has completely disappeared after several unsuccessful trips to the fruit department, then you can experiment with the germination of delicious fruits at home.
How to germinate an apple seed? This is not very difficult to do. Everyone will be able to cope with this task. It is necessary to place the seeds in a container and pour water (it should be at room temperature). So leave them for three days, updating the water every day.
Is it possible to store seeds from apples?
No, they dry out quickly. There is only one way of long-term storage - to choose nucleoli from fresh seeds, to dry them and to grind. In this condition, they can be preserved for up to six months. The method of use will then be as follows: mix the mass with honey (in a ratio of 1: 2), add to yogurt and eat. This method of use is well suited for those who want to lose weight and improve their health.
Using apple seeds in cooking
Apple seeds can be used in cooking. They are added in the form of crushed mass in porridge, kefir, cottage cheese or yogurt, but can be used independently. For example, the taste of homemade wine, liquor or compote will become more interesting if you add a small amount of apple seeds to them.
And what a delicious jam! Real jam! The point is in the little things - a dozen seeds ... It should be noted that during heat treatment their harmful properties disappear, although the benefits are not so great.
Are there any contraindications to the use of apple seeds?
Yes, they do. For example, it is strictly forbidden to eat them pregnant. A weakened body is too susceptible to harmful substances. Even a small amount of apple seeds can lead to poor health and severe toxicosis.
If a pregnant woman has a lack of iodine, and she wanted to make up for it with this method, then these seeds are not the only source of this element. It can be obtained from many other products, such as fish. Also, a doctor usually prescribes vitamin supplements.
Apple bones should not be offered to small children. Their body is not yet strong enough to combat hydrocyanic acid, even in small quantities. Because of this, you should not eat bones during breastfeeding. With mother's milk, a harmful substance can also get to the baby and cause irreparable harm.
The hard peel of the seeds is a contraindication to their use by people with diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and, if the tooth enamel is sensitive and fragile.
In which case the seeds are prescribed in medicine and for what?
Doctors sometimes recommend them with a lack of iodine, that is, with a malfunctioning thyroid gland. Compresses from apple seeds have proven themselves well to combat respiratory diseases, for example, sinusitis or sinusitis, they help with bronchitis.
If you have a cold, you can grind the seeds and add to hot milk or tea. With diseases more serious, such as pneumonia, a decoction with linden honey will save.
The healers of the East found another interesting application for seeds. It is believed that if you apply hot apple kernels to certain active points on the body, they can cure many diseases. This technique was called su-jok, it is often practiced in Asian countries.
Little conclusion
In general, whether it is worth eating apple seeds, the benefits and harms of which are no longer a mystery, you need to decide individually. If there is even the slightest fear, then it is better to abandon this venture.
And what is the calorie content of such seeds? It is 195 kcal / 100 g.