Urgent warning over eating too many Brazil nuts after huge spike in popularity

16 August 2023 , 08:54

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People are being warned to not eat too many Brazil nuts (Image: Getty Images)

An urgent warning has been issued about eating too many Brazil nuts as their popularity increases.

Many have recommended the snack because they are packed with nutrients with the #brazilnut garnering 4.8 million views on TikTok. Brazil nuts contain high levels of selenium, which is essential for your thyroid and could reduce your risk of cancer, infections, heart disease and mood disorders.

However, experts have urged people discovering the nut to “proceed with caution” as eating too many can lead to toxic levels of selenium in the body (selenosis) and cause symptoms such as bad breath, diarrhoea, nausea, skin rashes/lesions, nerve pain and fatigue.

In rare cases, very high levels can cause kidney failure, cardiac arrest and even death. The organisation advises that you should not eat more than one or two Brazil nuts in one day and only occasionally, Liverpool Echo reports.

Jessica Jurcak, registered dietitian and Manager of Whole Health and Well-Being for University Hospitals, said: “Nuts can be an excellent and healthy addition to your diet. In general, it is safe and beneficial to eat one ounce of most nuts (not Brazil nuts) per day but portion control is essential to avoid side effects and consuming more calories than you need.”

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She added: “Follow the serving size recommendations above and always choose unsalted or lightly salted varieties. Too much sodium can, in the short-term, dry out your mouth lining and cause slight inflammation.

“And, in the long-term, it can contribute to the development of high blood pressure, a serious health condition. To enhance the flavour of unsalted nuts, I recommend combining them with another food group, such as almonds and berries, pecans and low-fat Greek yoghurt, or peanuts and dark chocolate.”

According to the NHS, Brazil nuts are a good source of selenium. It has argued the recommended amount of selenium is 75μg a day for men from 19 to 64 years old and 60μg a day for women from 19 to 64 years old.

Jamie Greer