Sometimes eating pine nuts can cause some people to experience a bitter or metallic taste that lasts for a few days to 2 weeks. This taste disorder is known as “pine mouth” or “pine nut syndrome”. Not everyone who consumes pine nuts is affected by the taste disorder. Pine nuts can increase your energy levels because of their protein, iron and magnesium.
The antioxidant power of vitamin E they contain can help keep skin healthy and young-looking. Despite their name, pine nuts aren't nuts at all. Pine nuts are actually seeds harvested from certain types of pineapples. If you're wary of high-fat foods, you might think you should avoid pine nuts.
However, pine nuts contain healthy fats that provide several health benefits. Consuming three or more servings of pine nuts or nuts per week (compared to none) reduces the risk of heart failure and atrial fibrillation. Since magnesium is prevalent in pine nuts, the consistent intake of these vital nuts may improve anxiety disorders and depression in adolescents. Which leaves us here, looking at the small warning on the back of the pine nut bag with widespread fear and uncertainty.
The amino acid L-arginine in nuts and seeds, including pine nuts, improves endothelial function by increasing the availability of nitric oxide (a natural vasodilator). There are about 20 species of pine trees that produce seeds large enough to be worth harvesting and selling. Along with this favorable macronutrient profile, pine nuts also have micronutrients beneficial for diabetes control. The antioxidants in pine nuts can also help reduce cellular stress and inflammation in the brain, which can improve general cognition and reduce the risk of dementia.
Pine nuts contain a variety of nutrients that contribute to heart health and may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, including antioxidants that support heart health in the long and short term. In addition, eating pine nuts or other seeds and nuts regularly can help reduce the risk of diabetes and heart disease. The combination of fiber and antioxidants in pine nuts makes them a healthy choice for good digestion and cancer prevention. A rare condition called pine nut syndrome, also called pine nut mouth, produces a bitter metallic taste that starts two to three days after eating pine nuts and stays in your mouth for two to four weeks.
Pine nuts are also rich in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds that promote both long-term and short-term heart health. That said, a one-ounce serving of pine nuts provides many essential nutrients, including dietary fiber, which can help you feel satisfied and full. The reason why some people experience this is not clear, although it could be due to genetic factors or factors related to the consumption of certain species of pine nuts. The USDA provides the following nutritional information for 1 ounce (28 g) of dried pine nuts (approximately 167 kernels).
In older adults, increasing the intake of pine nuts may boost cognitive function and reduce depressive symptoms.