Are pecan shells poisonous? Pecan nuts are no doubt, very nutritious and delicious, but can that be said of the shell? Pecans have been tested and trusted over the years to be a source of specific essential vitamins for the body. It is also enjoyable while eating.
But as for the pecan shell, how useful is it? Are they harmful to the human body, or helpful? Pecan lovers frequently ask the question of whether pecan shells are poisonous, and this article gives an answer to this question.
Are Pecan Shells Poisonous?
Pecan shells are not poisonous as some people think; instead, they are very useful and are of great benefit. Pecan shells that come from Pecans (Carya illinoinensis) are gotten as a byproduct when the nuts are being extracted. Originally, the shells were seen as waste and hence treated as such by disposing of them. But as time went on, studies and researches were made, and their nutritional value was made known.
It is a very common thing to dispose of a pecan shell in the waste-bin like every other trash and waste. Only a few numbers of individuals have been able to use the shells for other things, but this should not be so. Pecan shells are not poisonous, but they are very helpful to human health and the environment.
It might interest you to know that the pecan shells contain antioxidant properties such as phenolics, tannins, and gallic and ellagic acids. Also, the shells have been used in manufacturing nutraceutical products. This type of product is known to fight obesity and hypercholesterolemia.
What Pecan Shells are Made Of
The shell of a pecan nut is made of cellulose and lignin which contain a cell called Sclereids. This Sclereid cell is also present in other edible substances such as pears, apples, cinnamon, and cloves.
Going further, some human diseases such as metabolic and inflammatory conditions, neurological disorders, gastric ulcers, and cancer, have been proven to be cured and prevented by Pecan shells, and gallic and ellagic acids.
Also, the study on Pecan shells has gone further to state that the shells can be used for making beauty and skincare products. The oil that comes from the shell helps in moisturizing the skin, while the rough granules help in taking away harsh skin dirt or dead skin. Also, they are perfect for exfoliation.
Cooking with Hickory Pecan Shells
When smoking or grilling meat, pecan shells can help the meat cook quickly and also give it a delicious taste. Pecan shell fiber is very nutritious and has more antioxidants than raw berries such as cranberries, blueberries, and raspberries.
In general, Pecan shells are not poisonous, and they do more good than bad to the human body. They are also useful for different purposes. The next time you would be eating fresh inshell pecan nuts, bear in mind how vital and effective the shells are too; they are not just wastes.
