The Bitter Truth About Apricot Kernels
From ancient remedies to laetrile hype, and the global bans that followed.
Author’s Note
Debunking “natural cures” and nutritional nonsense has been an active hobby of mine since I was a college student at The University of Chicago. At that time, “laetrile” was the hot topic among chiropractors and health food stores. Thankfully, some studies from Mayo Clinic put that aside. It has become recycled.
Apricot pits are back - here is your debunking for the day. I hope you enjoy it.
🍑 Apricot Kernels: From “Vitamin B17” to Debunked Cure
For years, apricot kernels — the seeds inside the stone of an apricot — have been sold as a “natural” cancer cure. They were even rebranded as Vitamin B17, a vitamin that doesn’t exist.
So, how did this myth take hold, and why do scientists today say it’s not just false — it’s dangerous?
A Seed of an Idea
In traditional Chinese medicine, bitter apricot kernels (xing ren) were used to ease coughs and asthma. They were never meant to be a cancer cure.
But the chemical inside — amygdalin — caught the attention of chemists in the 1800s. When broken down, amygdalin releases cyanide, a poison. That didn’t stop people from thinking it might also kill cancer cells.
The Rise of Laetrile
Fast forward to the 1950s. A semi-synthetic version of amygdalin was created and given the name laetrile. Marketers called it Vitamin B17 and claimed cancer was a “deficiency disease” of this fake vitamin.
By the 1970s, laetrile was a booming alternative treatment. Thousands of cancer patients tried it, often traveling to clinics in Mexico to get injections or swallowing ground apricot kernels.
The promise was huge. The evidence? Not so much.
What the Science Showed
Lab studies: Yes, amygdalin kills cells. But it doesn’t just target cancer cells — it’s toxic to all cells because of the cyanide.
Animal studies: Mixed, mostly negative results.
Human trials: By the 1980s, carefully done studies showed that laetrile did not shrink tumors, extend life, or improve symptoms.
Meanwhile, poisonings piled up. People got headaches, nausea, confusion, dangerously low blood pressure — all classic signs of cyanide exposure.
The Toxic Truth About Apricot Kernels
Apricot kernels aren’t just ineffective — they can be deadly.
The European Food Safety Authority warns that eating just 3 small kernels (or 1 large one) can exceed the safe daily cyanide limit for adults.
For children, even a single small kernel can exceed safe levels.
Bitter kernels — often marketed online as “Vitamin B17” — contain the highest amygdalin levels and thus the most cyanide.
Documented poisonings include vomiting, dizziness, confusion, low blood pressure, coma, and death.
The same mechanism that supposedly “kills cancer” actually poisons healthy tissue, too. There’s no therapeutic window — just toxicity.
Global Bans and Restrictions
Because of this risk, many countries have taken firm action against apricot kernels and laetrile:
Australia & New Zealand: Raw apricot kernels were banned from sale in 2015.
South Korea: Kernels are prohibited as food ingredients.
United States: The FDA has never approved laetrile, and interstate shipment is banned. Apricot kernels marketed with health claims are restricted.
European Union: Laetrile is not authorized as a treatment, and EFSA has issued strong warnings against kernel consumption.
These bans reflect one reality: the danger isn’t theoretical. It’s real, it’s measurable, and it’s been seen too many times in clinics and emergency rooms.
Why the Myth Lingers
It’s “natural.” That makes it appealing.
Survivors sometimes credit it, while those who died can’t speak.
The cancer industry conspiracy theory — that “big pharma” is hiding the cure — continues to fuel its sales.
But here’s the truth: there is no vitamin B17. Apricot kernels don’t cure cancer. They can, however, poison you.
Today’s Reality
Regulators around the world have banned laetrile and restricted bitter apricot kernels. Eating healthy foods like apricots is great. Eating their kernels? Risky and debunked. Cancer deserves real treatment, not dangerous shortcuts.
👉 Takeaway: Apricot kernels are a case study in how a natural compound was hyped as a miracle cure — but turned out to be a very real poison.