The plant kingdom is vast, and we are only starting to understand it. Did you know that there are more than 400,000 species of plants in the world and we keep finding the new ones now and then! There are perhaps dozens of exotic fruits that you haven’t even sampled yet.
Do you eat fruits? Of course, you do; who doesn’t! These are not only delicious but are also a great source of vitamins and minerals. While all fruits have seeds, some of these are edible and some are inedible. Here is a list of some fruits with edible seeds and those with inedible seeds.
Fruits With Inedible Seeds
#1. Apple
Think of the phrase ‘traditional American fruit’ and the first image that conjures up in mind are those of apples. You must have also heard the saying that nothing is as American as an Apple pie. Known for their several health benefits, apples come in several varieties. However, also called pips, apple seeds contain amygdalin, a substance that can release cyanide. Therefore, unless you have a death wish, avoid eating apple seeds.
(Image Courtesy: ThoughtCo)
#2. Cherries
Contrary to popular belief, rather than a berry, cherries are, in fact, fruit. As you may very well know, cherries are not only eaten raw but are also used in several other different ways like liquor production and cooking. But what you may not know is that they are from the same family as apricots, plums, and peaches, all of which are replete with poisonous compounds in their leaves and seeds. On being crushed and chewed, they produce prussic acid, hydrogen cyanide.
(Image Courtesy: Banggood's blog)
#3. Pear
The seeds inside a pear are so soft and small that it is often difficult to say whether you have consumed them with the fruit or not. This happens especially in the case of organic pears. You might be surprised to know that just like apples, seeds of a pear also contain trace amounts of cyanide. Though this quantity may be too insignificant to have any effect on your body unless you are planning to consume tremendous amounts of it, it would be better to slice them off the next time you consume one.
(Image Courtesy: Gardening Know How)
Well, these were some fruits with inedible seeds, now check out the list of some
Fruits With Edible Seeds
#1. Strawberries
Strawberries are famous as the only fruit which has its seeds on the outside. A fun fact for you, the red flesh that we relish is not a fruit, rather another part of a fruit called receptacle. The seeds that you see are technically fruits since they are actually the plant ovaries and each of these have a seed in it. Interesting, right?
(Image Courtesy: YouTube)
#2. Papaya
Though most of us may not consume papaya seeds, these are widely eaten in the tropical areas as they keep parasite infestation at bay. These are rich in a proteolytic enzyme, papain which targets parasite eggs and digests their proteins. They also contain a crucial glucosinolate called glucotropaeolin which creates an active anti-cancer compound named isothiocyanate on being metabolized in the body.
(Image Courtesy: LiverSupport)
#3. Watermelon
Though when you were a child, your parents must have told you that a watermelon plant could grow inside you if you eat a watermelon seed, this is certainly not the case. While almost every one of us spits it out, these are incredibly high in zinc, helping to regulate more than 100 different enzymes in the body. Furthermore, watermelon seeds are also rich in amino acid arginine, which helps keep a check on the blood pressure.
(Image Courtesy: Rozanne Gold)
Well, this was our list of fruits that have edible seeds and fruits that have inedible seeds. What do you think about the article? Which is your favorite fruit? Share your thoughts and opinions with us through your comments in the dedicated box below. We would love to hear from you. Also, do not forget to cast your vote in the intriguing poll that we have created for you here.
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