Playground Myth Biology Nutrition

A Tree Will Grow in Your Stomach If You Swallow a Seed

Seeds need soil and light to germinate

If you swallow a watermelon seed or apple seed, a tree or plant will grow inside your stomach.

Seeds require specific conditions to germinate: proper soil, moisture, light, and temperature. Your stomach provides only a warm, acidic, dark environment where most seeds are broken down by digestive acids. Even if a seed survived, it would be excreted along with other digestive waste. The myth persists as a humorous way to encourage kids not to swallow seeds.

Believed Since 1950
Year Revised 2000
Why Changed Never True
Confidence Fully Debunked
Region Worldwide

Reception

8/10
5/10

Sources

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