Nut

Nut (anatomy)

A nut in anatomy refers to a hard-shelled fruit of some plants having an indehiscent seed. While a wide variety of dried seeds and fruits are called nuts in English, only a certain number of them are considered by biologists to be true nuts. Nuts are an important component of human diet and nutrition.

Definition

In botanical terms, a nut is a hard-shelled fruit that does not split open to release its seed. A wide variety of dried seeds are called nuts, but in a culinary context, a nut is typically any hard-walled, edible kernel. The translation of "nut" in certain languages frequently requires paraphrases, as the word is ambiguous.

Characteristics

Most seeds come from fruits that naturally free themselves from the shell, unlike nuts such as hazelnuts, chestnuts, and acorns, which have hard shell walls and originate from a compound ovary. The general and original usage of the term is less restrictive, and many nuts, such as almonds, pecans, pistachios, walnuts, and Brazil nuts, are not nuts in a botanical sense. Common usage of the term often refers to any hard-walled, edible kernel as a nut.

Nutrition

Nuts are a significant source of nutrients for both humans and wildlife. Because nuts generally have a high oil content, they are a highly prized food and energy source. A large number of seeds are edible by humans and used in cooking, eaten raw, sprouted, or roasted as a snack food, or pressed for oil that is used in cookery and cosmetics.

Health effects

Nuts are also a good source of dietary fiber, and many studies have shown they have a protective effect against heart disease. Furthermore, nuts have other nutrients such as folic acid, niacin, vitamin E, and the minerals magnesium, copper, and potassium.

See also

• List of culinary nuts
• List of edible seeds
• Health benefits of nuts

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