Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai

Mumbai, Jun 12: For generations, many have been warned by parents and grandparents to avoid swallowing fruit seeds, fearing it might trigger a painful trip to the hospital with appendicitis. But how much of this caution is based on fact, and how much on myth?

The appendix, once thought to be a useless remnant of evolution, is now believed to play a minor role in gut health, possibly serving as a backup storehouse for beneficial bacteria. Though not vital for survival, its sudden inflammation—known as appendicitis—is a common medical emergency, often requiring prompt surgery.

One theory that continues to echo through households is that swallowed fruit seeds can lodge in the appendix and cause an infection. While the idea seems plausible, medical research suggests that such cases are extraordinarily rare. A study published in 2011 in the Asia Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine reviewed nearly 2,000 appendicitis cases over seven years and found that only 0.4% were associated with undigested plant materials or fruit seeds. Even among those, not all showed signs of inflammation caused directly by the seeds. Researchers concluded that while avoidance of tough-to-digest seeds might be helpful, the overall risk is minimal.

So where does the confusion come from? Some fruit seeds, such as those from guavas and pomegranates, are hard and indigestible, raising concerns they might obstruct the narrow opening of the appendix. But in most cases, these seeds pass harmlessly through the digestive system. Watermelon seeds, long feared for sprouting mythical vines in stomachs, are similarly harmless if swallowed in small quantities. More dangerous, however, are seeds or pits from stone fruits like cherries, peaches, and apricots—not because of appendicitis, but due to the toxic compounds they contain if cracked open.

A separate 2013 study published in the World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery explored how various ingested foreign objects, including seeds, can lead to appendicitis. It found that sharp or pointed objects posed a higher risk of causing damage or infection, whereas blunt ones tended to obstruct the appendix slowly over time.

Despite these findings, the most common causes of appendicitis remain fecal blockages, infections, or lymphoid tissue overgrowth—not fruit seeds. Appendicitis and appendix cancer, though they affect the same organ, are unrelated conditions. However, in rare cases, surgery for suspected appendicitis has led to the incidental discovery of hidden appendix tumors—proving that while appendicitis doesn’t turn cancerous, it can sometimes bring hidden issues to light.

In summary, while the idea that fruit seeds can cause appendicitis isn’t entirely baseless, it’s far from common. Practicing moderation, chewing thoroughly, and avoiding swallowing hard or toxic seeds remains a sensible approach—but rest assured, a single swallowed guava or watermelon seed is unlikely to send you to the operating table.