Brazil Nuts

Nuts + Seeds
Written By Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD

What are Brazil Nuts?

  • Brazil nuts are one of the most concentrated dietary sources of selenium. They are also full of antioxidants and omega fatty acids which reduce inflammation and support heart health. Further research on brazil nuts is needed but there are studies that suggest a diet rich in trace elements found in brazil nuts improves mood, mental performance, and a healthy weight.

  • Brazil nuts are one of the most concentrated dietary sources of selenium, a trace element that protects against infection and plays a role in thyroid metabolism, reproduction, and DNA synthesis.

  • Brazil nuts are also an excellent source of omega-6 fatty acids, copper, manganese, magnesium, phosphorus, and thiamin.

  • They are also high in antioxidants such as vitamin E and phenols like ellagic acid and gallic acid [17]. Antioxidants work to reduce inflammation and protect the body from oxidative stress.

 
 
 
 

Nutrient Breakdown

Brazil nuts are a great source of:  

Foods Containing Brazil Nuts

Brazil Nut Alternatives

Food Reactions

Nut allergy is one of the most common allergies within both children and adults. Most who have a nut allergy will not grow out of them, but some individuals will. Family history of a nut allergy increases the risk of having a nut allergy. If you are allergic to one kind of nut (tree nut), most likely you are allergic to them all. Not everyone who is allergic to peanuts is allergic to tree nuts, and they are not the same thing. Peanuts are actually known as legumes. [1] 

An allergic reaction to nuts is when proteins in the peanut bind to IgE antibodies made by the immune system. The next time you eat nuts the immune system will trigger leading to reaction symptoms. These symptoms can be very severe and could result in anaphylaxis. Mild skin reactions include rashes, swelling, redness, and hives. Reactions can also affect your breathing by causing a stuffy nose, sneezing, or sore throat. Lastly, nut allergies could cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. [1]


The body can respond to foods in many different ways including food allergies, food sensitivities, or food intolerances. If you suspect a food reaction, you can either choose to avoid the food or seek food reaction testing. Click here for more information on the difference in types of food reactions and testing options. 

DISCLAIMER: Always consult with your pediatrician and/or your Registered Dietitian to help you test for a food reaction or to aid you in making individualized dietary changes.

Brazil Nuts & Autism in the Research

There is no current research on brazil nuts and autism. There is research on components of brazil nuts such as trace elements and autism like selenium, magnesium, and manganese. 

Selenium & Autism 

  • Individuals with ASD are at risk for heavy-metal neurotoxicity, and selenium is suggested to be a prevention method and/or therapy for heavy metal toxicity [2]. 

  • When looking at hair and blood serum levels, children with ASD generally have lower levels of selenium [3-5].   

  • This study found an inverse relationship between selenium levels and the presence of overweight/obesity in children with ASD [6].  

Magnesium & Autism in the Research

  • Lower than desired magnesium levels are common within individuals with autism. [7-9].

  • An individualized approach using diet and supplementation of magnesium is beneficial for those with autism with a possibility of improvement in autism symptoms and abnormal behaviors [10-11]. 

  • Research has shown that magnesium supplementation, paired with vitamin B6, is beneficial for some individuals with autism to improve behavior [12-14]. 

  • Decreased risk of autism is not linked to neonatal magnesium levels [15] 

Manganese & Autism in the Research 

  • Lead increase and manganese decrease may be associated with the incidence of ASD, ADHD, or the co-occurrence of both of them together [16].

  • [1] Source: Nutrient data for this listing was provided by USDA SR-21. Read More https://nutritiondata.self.com/facts/nut-and-seed-products/3091/2#ixzz6lXr47w9y

    [2]  Nut Allergy: What Are the Symptoms?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/nut-allergy-symptoms. Published 2020. Accessed September 16, 2020. 

    [3]Skalny AV, Simashkova NV, Klyushnik TP, et al. Assessment of serum trace elements and electrolytes in children with childhood and atypical autism. J Trace Elem Med Biol. 2017;43:9-14. doi:10.1016/j.jtemb.2016.09.009

    [4]Skalny AV, Simashkova NV, Klyushnik TP, et al. Analysis of Hair Trace Elements in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders and Communication Disorders. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2017;177(2):215-223. doi:10.1007/s12011-016-0878-x  

    [5]ORDER. Georgian Med News. 2015;(248):77-82. Tabatadze T, Zhorzholiani L, Kherkheulidze M, Kandelaki E, Ivanashvili T. HAIR HEAVY METAL AND ESSENTIAL TRACE ELEMENT CONCENTRATION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM SPECTRUM DIS 

    [6]Błażewicz A, Szymańska I, Dolliver W, Suchocki P, Turło J, Makarewicz A, Skórzyńska-Dziduszko K. Are Obese Patients with Autism Spectrum Disorder More Likely to Be Selenium Deficient? Research Findings on Pre- and Post-Pubertal Children. Nutrients. 2020; 12(11):3581. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12113581 

    [7]Shahjadi, S., Khan, A. S., Ahmed, M. U., Karim, M., Parvin, S., Siddiqi, U. R., Afroz, S., & Mahruba, S. N. (2020). Study On Serum Magnesium, Calcium And Iron In Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Children. Journal of Dhaka Medical College, 27(2), 199-204. https://doi.org/10.3329/jdmc.v27i2.45834 

    [8]Guo M, Li L, Zhang Q, et al. Vitamin and mineral status of children with autism spectrum disorder in Hainan Province of China: associations with symptoms. Nutr Neurosci. 2020;23(10):803-810. doi:10.1080/1028415X.2018.1558762

    [9]Lakshmi Priya MD, Geetha A. Level of trace elements (copper, zinc, magnesium and selenium) and toxic elements (lead and mercury) in the hair and nail of children with autism. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2011;142(2):148-158. doi:10.1007/s12011-010-8766-2 

    [10]Meguid N, Anwar M, Zaki S, Kandeel W, Ahmed N, Tewfik I. Dietary Patterns of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Study Based in Egypt. Open Access Maced J Med Sci. 2015;3(2):262-267. doi:10.3889/oamjms.2015.051 

    [11]Jan Józefczuk, Wiktoria Kasprzycka, Rafał Czarnecki, Alfreda Graczyk, Paweł Józefczuk, Krzysztof Magda, and Urszula Lampart.Journal of Medicinal Food.Aug 2017.744-749. 

    [12] Mousain-Bosc M, Siatka C, Bali JP. Magnesium, hyperactivity and autism in children. In: Vink R, Nechifor M, editors. Magnesium in the Central Nervous System [Internet]. Adelaide (AU): University of Adelaide Press; 2011.

    [13]Adams, J.B. (2015). Vitamin/Mineral Supplements for Children and Adults with Autism.

    [14] Fujiwara T, Morisaki N, Honda Y, Sampei M and Tani Y (2016) Chemicals, Nutrition, and Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Mini-Review. Front. Neurosci. 10:174. doi: 10.3389/fnins.2016.00174

    [15] Bakian AV, Bilder DA, Korgenski EK, Bonkowsky JL. Autism Spectrum Disorder and Neonatal Serum Magnesium Levels in Preterm Infants. Child Neurol Open. 2018;5:2329048X18800566.

    [16]Hawari I, Eskandar MB, Alzeer S. The Role of Lead, Manganese, and Zinc in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and Attention-Deficient Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): a Case-Control Study on Syrian Children Affected by the Syrian Crisis. Biol Trace Elem Res. 2020;197(1):107-114. doi:10.1007/s12011-020-02146-3 

    [17]Cardoso BR, Duarte GBS, Reis BZ, Cozzolino SMF. Brazil nuts: Nutritional composition, health benefits and safety aspects. Food Res Int. 2017;100(Pt 2):9-18. doi:10.1016/j.foodres.2017.08.036

Authors

Suzy Morris, Dietetic Intern

Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD, CLT

Brittyn Coleman, MS, RDN/LD https://www.autismdietitian.com
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