A fruit? From a botanic standpoint, the coconut is a fibrous one seeded drupe. However, just because you are allergic to other tree nuts like cashews or almonds doesn't necessarily mean that you also have an allergy to coconut. Importantly, while the FDA treats coconut as a tree nut for labeling purposes, don’t assume restaurants treat coconuts as tree nuts. Pedatr Allergy Immunol. Not Necessarily Linked to Tree Nut. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023, Stutius LM, Sheehan WJ, Rangsithienchai P, et al. Let’s crack open this one. In a national registry of 5,149 people with peanut or tree nut allergies, only four patients reported having an allergy to coconut. While botanical relationships are not the only factor that determines whether two foods will be cross-reactive, foods that are close biological relatives often share related allergenic proteins. If you are allergic to tree nuts, talk to your allergist before adding coconut to or eliminating coconut from your diet. Coconut allergy is reasonably rare. Then a coconut is actually a drupe – a fruit with a hard surrounding layer. If you’re worried you have a coconut allergy, it’s a good idea to call out that ingredient specifically when dining out, and take the same precautionary measures you would with any other food allergy. that the debate will continue. This is a good idea even if you have a history of eating coconut without a problem. That’s why we developed the world’s smallest & fastest consumer food allergen sensor. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2017;4(10). Yet, the challenge is that coconut is found in many foods, so it's important to understand whether or not you're allergic to it. Children (Basel). Coconut is present in many foods as a derivative in the form of coconut oil, rice, sugar, water, cream, milk, and milk powder. The FDA lists coconut as a tree nut. People who are allergic to one of these nuts are often allergic to both. It’s important to talk to your doctor/allergist if you have any concerns about a potential coconut allergy. It's best to err on the side of caution because there is a possibility of cross-reactivity and tree nut reactions can be severe. Daniel More, MD, is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist. Coconut is still technically considered a fruit, but the FDA grayed those lines. We believe food should be a source of fuel, not fear. For example, one study examined children with peanut and tree nut allergies. They come from coconut palm trees and are not closely related to most other tree nuts. The coconut tree (Cocos nucifera) is a member of the palm tree family (Arecaceae) and the only living species of the genus Cocos. Coconut is not a nut; it’s a part of the palm tree family, but according to recent studies performed by the FDA, people with tree nut allergies may have an allergic reaction to products that contain coconuts. Therefore, if you feel it may be causing itchy or irritated skin, keep an eye out for ingredients and alcohols in beauty products that may be derived from coconut. For information on food allergy labeling laws, check out our post on that topic here. Read our, Medically reviewed by Corinne Savides Happel, MD, Medically reviewed by Lana Butner, ND, LAc. Most people with tree nut allergies can safely eat coconut and its products without any symptoms of a reaction. Coconut was labeled a tree nut by the FDA in October of 2006. Regardless, in 2006, the FDA added coconut to the list of 'tree nuts'. Many researchers, organizations, and food manufacturers have contested labeling coconut as a tree nut for years. - When intravenous (IV) solution was short in supply during WWII and the Vietnam War, doctors used coconut water as a substitute. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. Allergic reactions to nuts are caused by the proteins found in specific tree nuts. Your allergist can let you know whether your other test results and history make additional testing or a food challenge a reasonable next step. The EU does a little bit better job with tree nut allergy labeling. If we’re getting botanical, the coconut is actually a fibrous one-seeded dry drupe. After all, “nut” is part of the word. Can you be allergic? In fact, coconut is a seed of a drupaceous fruit. And the answer is, "It depends." Ⓒ 2020 About, Inc. (Dotdash) — All rights reserved. There’s a lot of confusion around the difference between peanuts and tree nuts. However many individuals are not allergic to coconut and many allergists do not consider coconut a true tree nut. Please share your story in the comments below if so! One study also found an association between coconut allergies and those to almonds and macadamias., While there are associations, the likelihood of also having a coconut allergy remains considerably low. And, by all rights, a food that grows on trees and contains the word “nut” as its third syllable feels appropriately named. Coconuts (Cocos nucifera) are tree nuts and may be a concern for people who have allergies to other nuts. Still, coconut allergy appears rare, and uncommon even among those with tree nut allergies. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x. Coconuts (Cocos nucifera) are tree nuts and may be a concern for people who have allergies to other nuts. Coconut tree beautifully surmounted by a graceful crown of giant featherlike leaves. Is It Safe to Eat Seeds If You Have an Allergy to Tree Nuts? Get one simple hack every day to make your life healthier. We cover this topic in a previous blog post! Read on to find out! Is coconut a nut? The U.S. Food and Drug Administration classifies coconuts as tree nuts. Coconut facts are courtesy of the Library of Congress and this journal article. Victoria Groce is a medical writer living with celiac disease who specializes in writing about dietary management of food allergies. Characterizing the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children. Do you or someone you know have a coconut allergy? To avoid coconut in foods, you need to be a food label detective. It seems like coconuts may be such a special and unique food (and tasty!) The results concluded that these children were more likely to be sensitive to sesame than coconut.. However many individuals are not allergic to coconut and many allergists do not consider coconut a true tree nut. But it’s very hard to get the wording of a law changed. - Coconut is a perennial plant that bears fruit continuously 12-13 times each year, for up to 60–70 years, yielding between 30 and 75 coconuts every year. Cross Reactivity: Do You Need to Avoid Other Foods? Food manufacturers can’t just list “tree nut allergy.” They have to call out which tree nut(s) specifically. Because coconuts are not considered a “botanical nut,” the ACAAI considers them to be a fruit. In 2010, the Journal of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology published a study that digs into the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergies in children. It also has the word nut in it. Scholars believe his reference to the “nut of India” was the coconut.
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