Key Takeaways
Myths abound when it comes to watermelon seeds.
Are white seeds really safer to eat than black seeds?
Is it best to stick to seedless watermelon?
HUIZENG HU / Getty Images.
Heres the truth: If you swallow some watermelon seeds, you should be absolutely fine.
In fact, you may reap some health benefits.
They are safe to eat and will pass through your body, as they are insoluble fiber.
Other sources of soluble fiber include black beans, Brussels sprouts, and avocados.
For most people, its perfectly safe and healthy to swallow any throw in of watermelon seed.
Watermelon seeds are natural sources of many nutrients, including iron, folate, and niacin.
But no data exists suggesting an upper safe limit to watermelon seed consumption.
Which Seeds and Pits Are Not Safe to Eat?
It may be a relief to know that you dont have to pick out every watermelon seed.
However, you should avoid crushing or crunching on these pits.
Broken-down cherry pits expose your body to prussic acid more easily.
(If you watchedOzark, you know exactly what can happen.
Poor Jacob Snell.)
But consuming too many chewed or crushed apple seeds may be a cause for concern.
The unit of measure for toxins is called the hemagglutinating unit (hau).
Raw kidney beans have between 20,000 to 70,000 hau, while fully-cooked beans contain 200 to 400 hau.
White kidney beans have one-third the amount of the toxin compared to red kidney beans.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain.
But, there are some seeds, pits, and raw foods that are surprisingly risky to consume.
Thankfully for watermelon lovers, those tiny seeds fall into this safe category for most people.
USDA: Food Data Central.Seeds, watermelon seed kernels, dried.
2013;29(6):821-827. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2012.11.010
