Symptoms may include metallic taste, garlic smell in the breath, hair loss, brittle nails, fatigue, nausea, rash, diarrhea, runny nose, cough, and nerve pain. Like most walnuts, Brazil nuts are very high in calories. People who eat too much Brazil nuts are at risk of exceeding the recommended daily calorie intake. Consuming too many calories can lead to unwanted weight gain.
Shall we start with the usual shocking thing? Brazil nuts can kill you. Just one Brazil nut contains twice the recommended daily allowance of selenium that our body requires and an overdose of selenium can have some very unpleasant side effects. Brazil nuts are also good for you. When it comes to Brazil nuts, less is more.
They are high in calories and fat, which can lead to unwanted weight gain if you eat too much. Brazil nuts have been found to contain barium in varying concentrations, depending on geographical location. Although beneficial in small amounts, Brazil nuts could cause selenium toxicity if a person regularly ingests them in large quantities. A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition reported that eating one Brazil nut a day for 8 weeks reduced total cholesterol and fasting glucose levels in healthy adults.
So how many nuts are too many? According to Healthline, although selenium in small amounts is beneficial, too much selenium can become toxic and begin to have adverse effects on the human body. If you are allergic to nuts, avoid Brazil nut toxicity and do not consume any products that contain Brazil nuts, including oil and butter. A serving of six Brazil nuts contains 185 calories and 4 grams of protein and only 3.5 grams, or 1 percent, of your daily carbohydrate value. A single Brazil nut contains 68 to 91 micrograms (mcg) of selenium, which means that just one nut per day can provide the recommended adult daily allowance of 55 mcg.
While they can literally be a tough nut to crack, there's a lot to love underneath that tough exterior. While a little can help a lot when it comes to the Brazil nuts and the selenium they contain, consuming too many Brazil nuts at once can become dangerous and harmful to your health. Selenium, which can be found in Brazil nut and in the periodic table, ensures a healthy thyroid gland and, subsequently, improves your immune system. Dietary fiber in Brazil nuts can also help lower blood cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke.
Based on the results of the study, the conclusion was that the radioactivity present in Brazil nuts poses no health risks from the daily ingestion of a walnut. Therefore, enjoying a few Brazil nuts each day is safe and unlikely to cause significant adverse effects, just don't eat excessive amounts at once. Brazil nuts are one of the highest natural sources of selenium, but they are also found in seafood, poultry, eggs, and other plant sources, such as sunflower seeds and wheat germ. Also an important source of copper, which provides 25 percent DV per six grains, Brazil nuts can protect the brain, support the immune system and contribute to bone density.
A 1-ounce serving of Brazil nuts contains 25-33% of the recommended daily intake of magnesium, which plays an important role in bone density.