Cinderella and the Cursed Apple

Hear this BABY!!!

“An apple a day, keeps the doctor away.”

I’ve heard this quotation a lot of time, from different lips in various places. But how "100% panatag ka" that an apple a day really keeps the doctor away?

As I indulge myself to my daily doze of breakfast, I didn’t notice that I was eating my apple up to its middle part where the seeds are located. Out of nowhere, I took a bite of the apple seed, and it tasted awkward, it was like something I couldn’t explain, and there’s no exact word even in the dictionary that can explain the taste I felt.

Without hesitation, I stopped eating my apple and ran hurriedly to my computer and started to do some research. Due to the curiosity I felt, I found out that APPLE SEEDS contain toxic substances. And I’m talking about CYANOGENIC GLYCOSIDES also known as PRUNASIN. This chemical compound is cyanide attached to a sugar. Cyanogenic glycosides are not solely found in apples. It is also found in peaches, apricots, cherries and raspberries (so you better watch what you eat)

When small amounts of prunasin are ingested the following will be manifested by the patient:

• Headache
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Vomiting

But when large amounts are ingested the following will occur:

• Difficulty in breathing
• Increased blood pressure
• Increase cardiac output
• Convulsion
• Coma
• At worst, even DEATH

The good part is, eating 1 apple (with the seeds) will not kill you. It will take 100 grams of prunasin or half a cup of apple seeds to make 150 lbs ill. Therefore, we can still say that “an apple a day, keeps the doctor away.” in spite of the toxic chemical found on the seeds.

For more additional information about this news, click this.

Moral of the story:

Things consumed in excess are bad. Self control is advised.

references:

• http://www.snopes.com/food/warnings/apples.asp
• http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/edible/msg011746212572.html
• http://chemistry.about.com/b/2007/09/12/yes-apple-seeds-and-cherry-pits-are-poisonous.htm

Trivia:

The N^th commenter will receive a special treat from me.

(Clue: N is equal to the date of my birthday. :]

struggling blogger