Acorn Health Benefits, Uses And Its Side Effects

Acorns have a significant amount of fiber, which helps in improving digestive health. Fiber helps to regulate the bowel movements by adding bulk to the stools and eliminate both constipation and diarrhoea. Acorns are ideal for people suffering from irregular bowel movements, cramping, bloating, and other gastrointestinal distress.

Acorns contain three strong antioxidants namely, gallic acid, ellagic acid and tannic acid. These antioxidants possess anti-asthmatic effect and help reduce asthma symptoms. Gallic acid, ellagic acid and tannic acid reduce the secretion of compounds in the body that otherwise increase inflammation of airways which further makes breathing difficult.

Reactive oxygen species,narrowing the airways of the respiratory tract are neutralized by the antioxidants present in acorns and thus helps in the management of asthma.

Compounds present in acorns inhibit the action of an enzyme called 'alpha-glucosidase', delaying the digestion of carbohydrates and slowing down the conversion of carbohydrates into simple sugar or glucose during digestion. This further prevents spike in the blood glucose levels.

Acorns can contribute to the management of diabetes mellitus. The fiber content and relatively complex carbohydrates found in these nuts help in the regulation of proper health.

Acorns oils are considerably higher in unsaturated fat compared to saturated fat and this helps improve cholesterol levels and even protect against heart diseases like atherosclerosis.It also helps to protect obesity and other heart diseases caused due to saturated fats.

The abundant minerals found in acorns, like phosphorous, potassium and calcium, help to boost bone health and prevent the onset of osteoporosis. Calcium is one of the most important minerals for bone mineral density, and is found in high concentrations within acorns. Thus, consumption of acorns can boost the bone health.

Acorns, with a high abundance of tannins, have a tremendous potential as an anti-bacterial agent against different bacteria Tannins also help in wound healing due to its astringent property.

Acorn also inhibit the development and spread of bacteria and microbes, and thus prevent further spread of bacterial infection.In other words, consumption of acorns can help in eliminating the bacteria from the body.

Herpes viruses are the most frequent cause of viral infections in individuals with poor immune system. Acorns are a promising anti-herpetic herbal medicine and possess anti-viral activity due to the flavonoids and tannins.

Healthy compounds present in acorns protect the cells of the body by preventing the contact between the virus and the cells. They further inhibit the multiplication and replication of virus and thus, they prevent the spread of virus to different parts of the body.

Proteins are key components to a healthy body, and acorns contain a high proportion of protein in it. This assists the creation of new tissues and cells, as well as the repair of damaged areas and rapid healing following injury or illness. With increased proportion of protein in the body, the cell growth and development process in enhanced.

Acorns are packed with B vitamins, which include niacin, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin B12. Acorns can help regulate the metabolic activities and also a number of enzymatic processes in the body that are crucial for overall health.

Antioxidants present in acorns inhibit cholinesterase (an enzyme present in the brain) which further lowers the symptoms of Alzheimer's disease such as confusion, memory loss, inability to think, and concentration.

Antioxidants present in acorn further cause a declination in the level of oxidative stress and prevent the death of brain cells. Gallic acid present in acorns possess brain-protective property, thus preventing Alzheimer's disease.