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Although acorns offer several benefits, they also have potential drawbacks.
Raw ones may be unsafe
As mentioned above, the tannins in raw acorns function as antinutrients, reducing your absorption of certain food compounds. They’re also linked to certain cancers and may cause liver damage when consumed in high amounts.
Some people report nausea and constipation from raw acorns, though this has not been confirmed by research. What’s more, the tannins give these nuts a bitter flavor.
Thus, is not recommended to eat raw acorns.
You can easily remove the tannins by boiling or soaking your acorns. This process eliminates their bitterness and makes them safe to eat.
May cause allergic reactions
Acorns are a tree nut, which is one of the most common allergens worldwide.
In fact, up to 1.2% of the U.S. population is allergic to one or more tree nuts.
Allergic reactions to tree nuts range from mild itching, scratchy throat, and watery eyes to anaphylaxis — a potentially life-threatening response that can cause extreme difficulty breathing.
If you’re allergic to other tree nuts, you should avoid acorns unless cleared to consume them by your healthcare practitioner.
Can be difficult to prepare
Collecting and preparing acorns can be time-consuming. Though abundant in the wild, they’re not commonly sold in grocery stores.
You may need to order them online if you’re unable to forage your own.
You also have to leach them of their tannins to reduce their bitterness and ensure that they are safe to eat. This can be done by boiling or soaking.
Though this process is quite simple, it may feel cumbersome — especially since other nuts are readily available and much easier to eat. *
