What happens when you eat buckeye nuts?

Buckeye nuts, also known as Ohio buckeye nuts or horse chestnuts, come from the buckeye tree, native to eastern North America. While the buckeye tree produces edible nuts, the nuts commonly known as buckeyes have high levels of tannins and are mildly poisonous to humans when eaten raw. However, Native Americans traditionally leached out the tannins to make the nuts edible. If you eat raw buckeye nuts, you may experience symptoms like nausea, muscle twitching, weakness, paralysis, diarrhea, vomiting, abdominal pain, confusion, and loss of coordination due to the tannins. But, when properly prepared, buckeye nuts can be eaten safely.

What are buckeye nuts?

Buckeye nuts grow on trees in the genus Aesculus, particularly Aesculus glabra, the Ohio buckeye. They are chestnut-brown nuts encased in a spiny green husk that splits open in autumn. Buckeye nuts contain tannins, complex chemicals that give them a bitter taste. Tannins help protect the plant from pests and diseases. The high tannin content makes raw buckeye nuts toxic to humans. But Native Americans traditionally soaked and leached buckeye nuts in running water to remove enough tannin to render them edible.

Are buckeye nuts edible?

Yes, buckeye nuts are edible if properly prepared. Native Americans consumed them for centuries after first leaching out the toxic tannins. The leaching process involves soaking the nuts in hot or cold water and continually changing the water to draw out the tannins. After leaching, the nuts can be boiled or roasted. The end product has a mild, sweet, nutty flavor and starchier texture than other nuts. While historically an important food source, prepared buckeye nuts are now considered a specialty food.

What are the effects of eating raw buckeye nuts?

Eating buckeye nuts without leaching carries risks of poisoning. Raw buckeyes have a bitter flavor and contain glycosides like aesculin and aescin, which produce toxicity when eaten. The physical symptoms of buckeye poisoning include:

  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Stomach pain and cramping
  • Diarrhea
  • Weakness and muscle tremors
  • Paralysis
  • Dilated pupils
  • Confusion and dizziness
  • Abnormal heart rate and rhythm
  • Low blood pressure
  • Liver damage in severe cases

These symptoms occur because buckeye glycosides produce similar effects to digitalis, a medication used for heart conditions. The tannins and glycosides cause gastrointestinal and neurological effects that require medical treatment in high doses. Children are particularly vulnerable to buckeye poisoning.

What amount is considered a toxic dose?

There is limited research on toxic doses of buckeye nuts in humans. However, buckeyes contain similar compounds to other toxic plants in the genus Aesculus. Based on this, studies estimate the toxic dose may be:

  • 0.5 mg per kg of body weight for children
  • Over 5 mg per kg of body weight for adults

So a small number of buckeye nuts could potentially be toxic, especially for a child. For safety, buckeyes should always be prepared by leaching. Consuming just a few raw nuts can cause symptoms.

How long do symptoms take to appear?

Buckeye nut poisoning causes rapid onset of symptoms. The glycosides and tannins are readily absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract. Early symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea often develop within 30 minutes to 2 hours after ingesting raw buckeyes. Neurological effects like muscle weakness, confusion, and dizziness usually begin 1-3 hours after ingestion. Without treatment, symptoms may persist for several hours or days. Immediate medical treatment is needed for severe or prolonged buckeye poisoning.

Can you die from eating buckeye nuts?

Death from buckeye consumption is very rare. Most cases only cause mild symptoms that resolve with supportive care. However, in theory, ingesting a large quantity of very toxic plants from the genus Aesculus could potentially be fatal.

Research estimates the lethal dose of similar plants like yellow buckeye may be around 100 mg per kg of body weight. So a lethal buckeye dose for an adult human would require eating a very large quantity of nuts. There are a few historical reports of children dying after eating buckeyes, likely due to their lower body weight and higher sensitivity. Overall, fatal buckeye poisoning is unlikely with accidental or small ingestions.

What to do if you eat raw buckeye nuts

If you swallow even a few raw, unprocessed buckeye nuts, take action quickly:

  • Call Poison Control (1-800-222-1222 in the U.S.) or emergency services for advice.
  • Seek medical care, especially if you develop any concerning symptoms.
  • Bring any remaining nuts to help with identification.
  • Induce vomiting only if advised by Poison Control.
  • Avoid any home remedy or waiting to see if symptoms appear.

With prompt medical care, most buckeye poisonings can be treated supportively and full recovery is likely. Intravenous fluids, medications, and monitoring may be needed in more severe cases. Do not eat any more raw buckeyes while waiting for help.

How are buckeye nuts safely prepared?

Buckeye nuts must be properly leached of tannins and glycosides before they are safe to eat. Methods include:

  • Cracking shells and removing nutmeats.
  • Soaking nutmeats in hot water, changing water frequently.
  • Boiling and discarding water repeatedly.
  • Draining soaked nuts on clean rocks or cloths.
  • Leaving nuts submerged in flowing water for 2-3 days.

The nuts are sufficiently leached when the water runs clear and the bitter taste is gone. The nuts can then be boiled until soft and the texture of baked potatoes. Modern methods may use an electric dehydrator to dry leached buckeyes. For safety, always fully leach buckeyes and discard any nuts that still taste bitter after preparation.

What do prepared buckeye nuts taste like?

Once leached of tannins and toxins, buckeye nuts have a mild flavor. Descriptions include:

  • Sweet, earthy, and nutty
  • Similar to chestnuts or potatoes
  • Starchier texture than most nuts
  • Buttery when roasted

The nuts provide a source of carbohydrates and nutrients. Native Americans used buckeyes to make breads and cakes, or mashed them into a paste. The flavor became sweeter after roasting or boiling. Modern prepared buckeyes are considered a unique foraged food.

Are buckeye nuts healthy to eat?

Prepared buckeye nuts may offer some health benefits:

  • Rich in complex carbohydrates for energy
  • Contain protein, vitamins, and minerals
  • High in lysine, an essential amino acid
  • May have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties from flavonoids like quercetin
  • Acorns especially high in nutrients like calcium, iron, and magnesium

However, buckeyes are still high in carbohydrates and calories compared to other nuts. Any potential benefits require eating them in moderation as part of an overall healthy diet. They provide a unique nutritional profile among foraged foods.

Are buckeyes related to peanut allergies?

While buckeyes are not true nuts, there is a risk of allergic reaction in people with peanut or tree nut allergies. Buckeyes belong to the same order of plants as walnuts and pecans. People with peanut allergy may be more likely to also react to buckeyes. Those with any food allergy should use caution trying new foods like foraged buckeyes. Introduce them slowly while watching for any allergy symptoms.

Where do buckeye nuts grow?

The buckeye tree is native across eastern North America. Its natural range stretches from south Ontario and Pennsylvania, west to Oklahoma and Nebraska, and south to Alabama and Georgia. Ohio’s state nickname as the Buckeye State comes from the prevalence of buckeye trees. Buckeyes thrive in moist soil conditions along rivers and streams. Look for buckeye trees in wooded floodplains, valleys, and lower slopes. They grow best in zones 5-7.

When is buckeye nut season?

Buckeyes ripen and fall in autumn. Key facts about their season include:

  • Buckeyes bloom in spring around May.
  • Fruit sets over summer and ripens in fall.
  • Husks split open and drop nuts from September through November.
  • Peak harvest time is October.
  • Collect nuts soon after they fall to the ground.

Buckeye season lines up with similar nuts like hickory, walnuts, and chestnuts. Forage buckeyes in autumn before the squirrels get them!

How to identify buckeye trees

Identifying buckeye trees ensures you find nuts from the correct species. Buckeyes have distinct traits:

  • Deciduous tree growing up to 80 feet tall.
  • Often has low, spreading canopy.
  • Dark gray bark broken into irregular plates or patches.
  • Twigs and buds covered in rust-colored hairs.
  • Leaves are palmately compound with 5-7 leaflets.
  • Leaflets are 3-6 inches long, dark green.
  • Clusters of yellow or red flowers in spring.
  • Fruit is a spiny green husk containing 1-3 brown nuts.

Compare buckeye trees to similar species like horse chestnut. Also inspect the nut husk and shape to confirm Aesculus genus versus true chestnuts.

How to harvest buckeye nuts

Use these tips for collecting ripe buckeye nuts:

  • Time visits for mid-autumn when husks start splitting.
  • Look on the ground near buckeye trees first.
  • Gently shake branches or lay a tarp to dislodge extra nuts.
  • Wear gloves to avoid husk spikes.
  • Select plump, rounded nuts without holes or cracks.
  • Discard empty husks, defective nuts, and old nuts.
  • Promptly remove nutmeats from husks.

For highest quality, move nuts quickly from tree to kitchen for leaching. Discard any that appear dried out or shriveled.

Storing buckeye nuts

Fresh, raw buckeye nuts have a short shelf life. Storage tips include:

  • Refrigerate only 1-2 days before leaching.
  • Do not store at room temperature.
  • Freeze unshelled nuts for 2-3 months.
  • Soak and dry leached meats, then freeze.
  • Label bags frozen buckeye meats with the date.
  • Properly dried meats can store for over 1 year.

Stored correctly, enjoying buckeye nuts can last all year long!

Uses for buckeye nuts

Once leached and prepared, buckeye nuts offer versatility in the kitchen:

  • Snack on boiled, roasted, or candied buckeyes.
  • Add cooked buckeyes to cereals, yogurt, oatmeal.
  • Bake into breads, muffins, or nut bars.
  • Blend into smoothies for added nutrition.
  • Substitute for potatoes in soups or stews.
  • Puree into buckeye butter or flavorful spreads.
  • Coat in chocolate or caramel like confections.
  • Buckeyes pairs well with fruits, spices, maple, vanilla.

Try buckeyes in both sweet and savory recipes for their unique texture and mild flavor. Just remember proper preparation is a must for food safety.

Conclusion

While raw buckeye nuts are mildly toxic, indigenous peoples have long prepared them safely for food. With sufficient leaching and boiling, the tannins and glycosides are removed. Processed buckeyes offer a tasty, nutritious food source that grows wild across much of North America. Foragers should properly identify buckeye trees and only collect ripe, undamaged nuts in autumn. Handle them quickly and leach using traditional or modern methods before eating. Prepared buckeye nuts can be a fun foraged food to add sweetness and nutrients to many dishes. Just avoid snacking on them raw or underprepared to prevent any risk of buckeye poisoning.

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