Acorns are the small brown fruits of oak trees, within easy reach when they fall in the fall. But can we eat them like chestnuts?
The acorns are the oak fruit. They are shaped oval or spherical, yellowish or brownish in color with a hard shell and a single seed inside. There are hundreds of species of oak trees around the world and each produces its own types of acorns. There are mainly red oaks and white oaks. Historically, acorns were eaten in times of scarcity when food was in short supply. If the acorns are sometimes associated with chestnuts (edible), “eating acorns is absolutely not recommended” immediately warns Professor Xavier Cachet, doctor of pharmacy and teacher of pharmacognosy.
Pay attention to the natural shortcut = good for your health
“Many people now make a shortcut between natural and good for their health. But everything that comes from nature, and particularly plants, is not not necessarily edible and can sometimes be downright toxic. Aside from the pigs and the boars who consume themthe acorns are toxic, even for animals. The glans is a recognized poison for most sheep and cattle (sheep, oxen, horses, etc.)“continues our interlocutor. The entire oak plant (including the acorn) is toxic.”It is not a food plant for humans“insists the expert.
Is the acorn edible if cooked?
“Even cooked, the acorn is not edible” supports our interlocutor. From a taste point of view, the acorn is of no interest either since the tannins it contains give it a bitter taste.
Does it have health benefits?
It has no health benefits and no nutritional benefit. “Even though the acorn contains nutrients such as starch, fats and sugars, the toxic effect is greater than the potential beneficial effects in terms of food” develops the doctor of pharmacy. “The only benefit for health is the (minimal) use of tannins in pharmacy For making medicine for diarrhea thanks to their ability to absorb toxins” notes Professor Cachet. The tannins of the acorn are hydrolyzablethese molecules have a side astringent (characteristic that causes contraction or tightening of tissues, often noticeable in the skin or mucous membranes).
Is it fatal if eaten?
Eat an acorn is not fatal. “The cases ofserious acorn poisoning is too rare to know the exact quantities from which the consumption of acorns causes dangerous health risks but in any case, they should not be part of the diet“insists Professor Cachet.
What are the risks ?
“A Excessive consumption of tannins (contained in acorns) can lead to stomach problems including nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea” explains our interlocutor. Tannins have astringent properties which can cause gastrointestinal irritation and digestive problems such as constipation. If you consume acorns, you can contact a poison control center or your general practitioner.
Thanks to Professor Xavier Cachet, doctor of pharmacy and teacher of pharmacognosy.