The benefits and harms of apple seeds
Apple seeds contain many useful elements: sucrose, protein compounds, fatty oils, iodine, potassium, vitamin B17, etc. But many doubt whether they are worth eating, whether they are poisonous, and wonder what properties they have for the body.
The benefits and harms of apple seeds
Taste and benefits
According to their taste characteristics, apple seeds have bitter notes, which differ in the degree of saturation depending on the species diversity and the growing region.
Apple seeds have the following beneficial properties:
- thanks to the rare vitamin B17, the rate of spread of cancer pathogens throughout the body is reduced several times;
- vitamin B17 is also able to restore energy losses, which are often observed in athletes who are actively involved in physical activity;
- iodine can fill the missing amount of this trace element in the body. As a result of its lack, a person may experience constant headaches, in some cases developing into migraines, regular mood changes, as well as deterioration in the digestive system;
- potassium is the main component for improving the state of the cardiovascular system - blood pressure returns to normal, and the heart works at an optimal rhythm;
- apple seeds are useful in the fight against wrinkles, so they are widely used in the field of cosmetology;
- The beneficial properties of seeds are actively used in Chinese therapy, when the bones are applied to the area of the foot that is responsible for the work of a particular internal organ. Due to massage with this component, the necessary processes in the body are normalized.
For your body to receive the right amount of nutrients every day, it is not necessary to eat a whole apple fruit. The simplest method of iodine saturation, which can be done at home, is recommended.
To do this, you need to take an apple and remove the grains from it. Then they need to be crushed using any method that is most convenient. Then add honey to them in a 1: 2 ratio and mix the mixture thoroughly. It can be consumed in 1 tsp. a day with cereals, dairy products, etc.
Use in traditional medicine
Even in the past centuries, healers used apple seeds to treat such a well-known disease as gout, as well as for preventive measures in the fight against diseases of the digestive system.
There are legends about the miraculous effect of rejuvenating apples, which could return energy to a person.
For seeds to be useful in traditional medicine, you need to collect grains in a brown shell. Otherwise, they are harmful to the body. Due to the fact that they contain a large amount of iodine, they are included in the composition of medicines that are prescribed for the treatment of hypothyroidism.
The benefits of eating apple seeds are that they contain organic acid, which has a detrimental effect on foreign microorganisms that cause inflammatory processes in the liver.
Apple grains are used to treat the following diseases: gout, hepatitis, anemia, hypothyroidism, skin diseases, etc. In addition, they are used for constipation and vitamin deficiencies.
Often, apple seed tincture is used as a folk remedy. For its preparation, take fresh or dried seeds. This infusion actively fights drowsiness, lethargy, depression, and can also permanently save you from iodine deficiency.
You can add a little celery and stir the 2 ingredients with boiling water, then strain the resulting mixture. This medicine is used 3-4 times a day to combat gout and arthritis.
In hypothyroidism, the grains are mixed with lemon balm, lavender, adonis and hops, after which the crushed dead wood powder is poured with boiling water and allowed to brew for 15 minutes.
Application in cosmetology
Bones are not only good for food
The beneficial properties of apple seeds are widely used in cosmetology. Due to the fact that the grains contain a large amount of fatty oils, they are used for the manufacture of various creams and lotions recommended for application to dry skin. they have a nutritious effect.
After applying them, the skin looks healthy and toned. They can rejuvenate her by giving her elasticity.
To achieve this effect, you need to prepare a mask from apple seeds, butter and egg yolk. First, an infusion is made, after which 1 egg yolk and a small piece of oil are added to it, everything is thoroughly mixed. The cosmetic product must be applied to cleansed skin of the face and neck 3 times a day.
Apple seeds in cooking
Apple seeds can be eaten and not in the amount recommended by doctors. But at the same time it is necessary to process them with boiling water.
An original dish can be prepared from seeds that have been previously peeled from the outer shell and fried in a pan. Then they are mixed with powdered sugar, and a kind of snack is obtained. Powder can be replaced with such a natural component as honey. These additives are great for fruit salads and curd masses.
Apple seeds give a specific taste to liqueur, wine and compote.
The rate of use and harm
The daily intake of apple seeds in the body is 5 pieces. If the dose is exceeded, it can be fatal to humans. According to the recommendations of nutritionists, the maximum allowable dose for an adult is 6 seeds.
Eating apple seeds, like any other product, in excess can lead to irreparable processes. If you exceed the specified limit, intended for use in food during the day, in some cases even death may be recorded.
But before that, the person will experience dizziness, vomiting and cessation of the work of some internal organs.
The use of apple seeds is contraindicated in pregnant women and women who are breastfeeding, because their influence can cause and aggravate toxicosis, as well as the appearance of headaches. Contraindications also apply to people suffering from gastrointestinal diseases and sensitive tooth enamel.
Hydrocyanic acid poisoning
Excessive consumption of apple seeds is harmful to humans, because in the body, through chemical reactions, the formation of hydrocyanic acid, which is a poisonous substance, occurs, which directly leads to poisoning.
The main symptoms of poisoning:
- headaches;
- dysfunction of the heart and a decrease / increase in blood pressure;
- loss of consciousness;
- vomiting;
- difficulty breathing;
- an excess of saliva formation.
The first action that must be performed when these symptoms are detected is gastric lavage. You should also seek immediate medical attention. If a large amount of hydrocyanic acid is formed in the body, a person may die.
Storage rules
Fresh apple seeds are recommended. Food grade pits are brown, rot, mold and pest free.
If you want to save the product for the future, you must immediately separate the peel from the seed, dry it and put it in a dry, air-tight container. After a while, the bones can be used as dietary supplements.