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Hazelnut

The hazelnut is the nut of the hazelnut bush. It is used by some people for medicinal purposes. Hazelnut oil is used to lower cholesterol levels and as an antioxidant. More often than being used for medicinal purposes, the hazelnut is consumed as a food.

How do hazelnuts work?

Hazelnuts contain fatty acids, protein and fiber. There is not enough information on how hazelnuts might work when used for medicinal purposes.

How effective are hazelnut products?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of hazelnut products for high cholesterol levels and as an antioxidant. Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of hazelnut products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Hazelnuts are safe and harmless for most people in normal dietary quantities. However, some people are allergic to hazelnut products and may experience severe allergic reactions including respiratory problems and anaphylactic reactions.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Hazelnuts are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women at normal dietary levels. However, there is not enough information on whether the larger amounts used as medicine are safe and harmless, so pregnant and breastfeeding women should limit themselves to normal dietary amounts to be on the safe side.

Allergies: People who are allergic to peanuts, mugwort pollen, Brazil nuts and macadamia nuts may also be allergic to hazelnuts.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between hazelnuts and medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of hazelnut products depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to determine appropriate dosage ranges for hazelnut products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

  1. Asero R. Detection and clinical characterization of patients with oral allergy syndrome caused by stable allergens in Rosaceae and nuts. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol 1999;83:377-83.
  2. Caballero T, Martin-Esteban M. Association between pollen hypersensitivity and edible vegetable allergy: a review. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 1998;8:6-16.
  3. Caballero T, Pascual C, Garcia-Ara MC, Ojeda JA, Martin-Esteban M. IgE crossreactivity between mugwort pollen (Artemisia vulgaris) and hazelnut (Abellana nux) in sera from patients with sensitivity to both extracts. Clin Exp Allergy 1997;27:1203-11.
  4. Lutz M, Bonilla S, Concha J, et al. Effect of dietary oils, cholesterol and antioxidant vitamin supplementation on liver microsomal fluidity and xenobiotic-metabolizing enzymes in rats. Ann Nutr Metab 1998;42:350-9.
  5. Munoz MF, Lopez-Cazana JM, Villas F, et al. Exercise-induced anaphylactic reaction to hazelnut. Allergy 1994;49:314-6.
  6. O'Mahony M, Mitchell E, Gilbert RJ, Hutchinson DN, et al. An outbreak of foodborne botulism associated with contaminated hazelnut yoghurt. (abstract) Epidemiol Infect 1990;104:389-95.
  7. Pumphrey RS, Wilson PB, Faragher EB, Edwards SR. Specific immunoglobulin E to peanut, hazelnut and brazil nut 731 patients: similar patterns found at all ages. Clin Exp Allergy 1999;29:1256-9.
  8. Savage GP, McNeil DL. Chemical composition of hazelnuts (Corylus avellana) grown in New Zealand. Int J Food Sci Nutr 1998;49:199-203.
  9. Sutherland MF, O'Hehir RE, Czarny D, Suphioglu C. Macadamia nut anaphylaxis: demonstration of specific IgE reactivity and partial cross-reactivity with hazelnut. J Allergy Clin Immunol 1999;104:889-90.