Brazil nut (Bertholletia excelsa Bonpl.) in health and disease: A narrative review

Abstract

Brazil nut is one of the most consumed nut-producing species from South America. This narrative review evaluates the potential benefits of Brazil nut in health and disease. Various preclinical studies have shown that Brazil nut possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions and may be associated with antihypertensive, anti-nephrotoxic, cardioprotective (by reversing obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia), and antineoplastic properties. Additionally, several clinical trials showed that Brazil nut can improve antioxidant defense, reduce inflammatory processes, attenuate glycemia, prevent obesity and hypertension, reduce visceral adiposity, reduce endothelial dysfunction, and improve vascular tone. Besides its various health benefits, Brazil nut can be a promising agent in the food industry for enhancing products with a better nutritional profile and meeting the growing demand for functional and sustainable foods. Moreover, secondary products derived from the Brazil nut, such as Brazil nut oil and phytocompounds, have potential for use in multiple pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries.