What are Acorns, and is it Eatable?

Acorns are nuts that fall off oak trees, and humans have been eating them for centuries. Today, they are still eaten raw or roasted. Acorns' lengthy shelf life is one of its best qualities.

They can be gathered and stored for future use.

What kind of tree it originates from determines the type of Acorn you purchase. Although acorns come in various shapes, you may roughly classify them into two types.

●   Round with a blunt tip.

●   Elongated and taper to a point

Here's a list of some of them.

1. Black Oak

2. White Oak

3. Red Oak

4. Sugar Maple

5. Sycamore

6. Huckleberry

7. Butternut

8. Walnut

Acorns nutritional value

Acorn nuts are rich in protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Their nutritional profile includes approximately 40% fat, 25% carbs, and 20% protein. In addition, these nuts are loaded with antioxidants, flavonoids, and polyphenols.

500gms of acorns contains around 10% of the daily recommended protein intake, 30% of the day's supply of fiber, 5% of the day's iron requirement, and over 20% of the daily requirements of manganese.

Acorn also outshines spinach, carrots, and almonds in terms of nutritional value.

●   It has more than 10 times the amount of iron compared to spinach,

●   Twice the amount of vitamin A compared to carrots,

●   Five times the amount of Vitamin E compared to almonds.

8 Health Benefits of Acorns

The health benefits of acorns are endless. Not only do they taste delicious, but they also provide a lot of nutrition. Here's a list of the 8 incredible health benefits of Acorns.

1. Improves Blood Circulation

Blood circulates throughout our bodies and helps transport oxygen and nutrients to cells. If circulation is hampered, the blood gets clogged up, causing pain, swelling, and even heart disease. So eating foods that increase blood circulation, such as acorns, helps keep us healthy.

2. Protects Brain

Acorns have been shown to help increase cognitive function in people who have Alzheimer's disease. They are considered one of the best natural remedies for Alzheimer's disease due to their high content of antioxidants.

Antioxidants in acorns lessen Alzheimer's disease symptoms, including confusion, memory loss, poor concentration, and difficulty thinking clearly.

3. Heart Disease Prevention

One cup of acorn nuts contains nearly half of the recommended daily intake of vitamin E. Vitamin E is well-known for reducing cholesterol levels and preventing heart attacks.

4. Promotes Bone Formation

Want healthier and stronger bones? Add acorns to your diet. Acorns are full of calcium and potassium, two nutrients that are good for bones and muscles.

5. Easy to Digest

Acorns are easily digested and are low in fat. When compared to some other nuts, acorns are very easy to digest. Raw acorns are not only nutritious, but they are also delicious! You can add raw acorns to salads, stir fry vegetables, make granola, bake cookies, and much more.

6. Boosts Immune System

Acorns for their high nutritional value and have been proven to boost immunity. They also have a higher protein concentration than many other nuts. They are rich in manganese, selenium, phosphorous, potassium, calcium, and magnesium. These nutrients help boost immunity and protect against infections. Acorns are also loaded with antioxidants that help fight free radicals and strengthen your immune system.

7. Good for Your Skin

Many people use acorns to treat eczema, psoriasis, and rashes. Acorns are rich in vitamin C, which is known for its anti-inflammatory effects. Vitamin C helps the immune system function and fights off bacteria and viruses. Because of this, acorns are often used topically to prevent infection and heal wounds.

8. Great for Fertility

Women trying to become pregnant should consume plenty of foods rich in iron, folic acid, and B12. Acorns are high in both iron and folate, which means they provide a lot of nourishment to women trying to conceive. Pregnant women need extra iron and folate to ensure proper fetal development.

How to Eat Acorns?

Acorns are highly versatile and can be used in cooking, baking, and juicing. However, always use acorns that look fresh and aren't cracked or damaged in any way. If you find yourself picking them off the tree, make sure you don't pick them from a diseased area. Also, if you notice that the acorn shell is broken, discard it.

Rinse your acorns under cold water before using them as a snack. You can then dry them out entirely in a paper towel, place them in a baggie, and pop them in the freezer.

Or, you could just roast them over a fire. Until they begin to smoke, place them immediately over the coals. Take them out of the fire and let them cool. You can eat them simply when they've cooled.

Risk and Side effects

While Acorns are generally zero-risk, they are not without risks and side effects. Despite the many health benefits of Acorns, You mustn't overeat them. Your body might be unable to digest the nutrients found in acorns properly. Keep these risks and side effects in mind.

●   Some people may experience stomach upset if they eat acorns. Symptoms of stomach upset include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn.

●   Acorns can cause skin irritation and rashes around hands, arms, legs, feet, face, neck, and scalp.

●   Acorns can cause headaches. If you suffer from migraines, consuming acorns could aggravate them. You should avoid eating acorns if you have severe headaches.

●   Acorns can cause dizziness. If you feel dizzy when you consume acorns, you should stop eating them.

Is Acorn Flour Healthy?

Yes, Absolutely! A cup of acorn flour contains only about 100 calories. That's less than a cup of white flour, which has around 200 calories.

Acorn flour contains high levels of vitamin E, which helps protect cells from oxidative damage. Our bodies capacity to heal damaged cells declines with age. Acorn flour aids cells in our body to healing themselves.

Final Words

So, what do you think? Is Acorn the superfood you have been looking for? Will you add Acorns to your diet?

Acorns are available for purchase online or at nearby stores. You can, however, gather them by hand if you live close to a place where wild acorns naturally grow.

If you want to enjoy all the health benefits of Acorns, store them in an airtight container. It will protect your acorns from mold and mildew for up to two months.