Nuts & Seeds · Nut
Hickory Nuts
Carya ovata · also called Shagbark hickory nut, shellbark hickory nut (Carya laciniosa)
Hickory nuts are the kernels of hickory trees, close relatives of the pecan. They are rich in manganese and energy. We found no human research on hickory nuts and health, so this page is short and says so. The main caution is tree nut allergy, which can be life-threatening.
General information, not medical advice. Last substantive update · Not medically reviewed. A named clinician has not signed off on this page. How this page is made
About Hickory Nuts
Hickory nuts are a mineral-rich tree nut that is mostly gathered wild or from small trees. They are a food, not a proven remedy, and almost no research on them exists.
What it is
Hickory nuts are the kernels of hickory trees in the genus Carya, such as shagbark hickory (Carya ovata) and shellbark hickory (Carya laciniosa). The pecan is a close relative from the same genus. The part eaten is the kernel inside a hard shell.
USDA data for dried hickory nuts (carried forward from an earlier read, not re-opened today): 657 kcal per 100 g, with 64.4 g fat, 12.7 g protein and 6.4 g fibre. One ounce (28.35 g, about nine nuts) has about 186 kcal, 3.6 g protein, 1.8 g fibre, 1.3 mg manganese, 0.21 mg copper and 0.25 mg thiamin. Most of the fat is monounsaturated and polyunsaturated. USDA lists no vitamin E value for this item.
What the research shows
We found no human study of hickory nuts. Pooled trials of other tree nuts (walnuts, pecans, almonds and others, but not hickory) lowered LDL cholesterol slightly. Pooled nut trials found no significant change in body weight.
The only hickory-related research found is a test-tube study of kernel oil from Chinese hickory, a different species. It shows nothing about eating hickory nuts.
Amounts
This page gives no amounts to eat. Ask a doctor, pharmacist or dietitian what is right for you.
At a glance
Traditional uses history, not proof
- Eaten as a wild-gathered nut
- Long use as food is not proof that it treats any condition
Studied for research
- Manganese, copper and thiamin content, a nutrient fact from a food database
- Blood cholesterol, insufficient evidence for hickory (pooled trials were of other tree nuts)
- Body weight, low certainty (pooled trials of nuts, not hickory)
- Antioxidant activity of kernel oil, lab only and a different species
Main compounds
- Manganese
- Copper
- Thiamin (vitamin B1)
- Monounsaturated fat
- Polyunsaturated fat
Common forms
- Dried shelled kernels
- Nuts in the shell
- Roasted or salted nuts
- Chopped pieces or meal
Research links: NHS: Food allergy · Review: tree nut allergies and cross-reactivity · CDC: Choking hazards · Research Library · Genes & Biomarkers Library
What it is and its history
- Accepted scientific name
- Carya ovata
- Naming authority
- (Mill.) K.Koch (shagbark hickory); Carya laciniosa (shellbark hickory) is also sold as hickory nuts
- Common names
- Hickory nut (English); Shagbark hickory nut (English); Shellbark hickory nut (English)
- Family or group
- Not verified from a source read today.
- Classification
- Plantae > Not verified > Not verified > Not verified > Not verified > Carya > Carya ovata
- Native range
- Not verified from a source read.
- Habitat
- Not verified from a source read.
- What it looks like
- Roots: Not verified.; Stems: Not verified.; Leaves: Not verified.; Flowers: Not verified.; Fruit: The kernel inside a hard shell is the part eaten (existing nutrient summary). USDA lists a household portion of 1 nut as 3 g.
- Cultivation
- Not verified from a source read. The existing page says hickory nuts are mostly gathered from wild or small-scale trees.
- Harvest and processing
- Sold in shell, as shelled dried kernels, roasted or salted, or as pieces and meal (existing nutrient summary).
- Look-alikes and adulterants
- Name: Pecan (Carya illinoinensis); Note: A close relative in the same genus; the allergy overlap with hickory nuts was not studied in the sources read.; Name: Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis); Note: A different species; the only lab study found used its kernel oil.
- Sustainability and conservation
- Not assessed.
Photographs
What is inside, and how it may work
What it contains and how those compounds act in cells and animals. Laboratory and animal mechanisms are not proven effects in people.
Main compounds
| Compound | Family | Where it is concentrated | Activity studied | Level of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manganese | mineral | Kernel USDA: 4.61 mg per 100 g (carried forward) | Essential mineral. 9 | Reference data |
| Fat (mostly monounsaturated and polyunsaturated) | lipid | Kernel USDA: total fat 64.37 g, monounsaturated about 32.6 g, polyunsaturated about 21.9 g, saturated 7.04 g per 100 g (carried forward) | Energy source. 9 | Reference data |
Mechanisms, receptors and pathways
| Target or pathway | Gene or receptor | What was found | Level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free-radical scavenging (lab only, Chinese hickory kernel oil) | Not applicable | Some scavenging in test-tube assays. Not shown in people. 3 | Laboratory research |
Absorption, metabolism and elimination
- Absorption
- Not found.
- Distribution
- Not found.
- Metabolism
- Not found.
- Elimination
- Not found.
- Bioavailability
- Not found.
Isolated compounds versus whole extracts
Every health result on this page is for whole nuts of other species, or for a kernel oil in a test tube. No hickory nut supplement or extract was studied.
Nutritional composition
Nutrition from USDA FoodData Central, Nuts, hickorynuts, dried (FDC 170177, SR Legacy, April 2018). These values were read on 2026-10-23 and carried forward; the record could not be re-opened on 2026-10-26, so they are NOT re-verified today. Per 100 g: 657 kcal, 12.72 g protein, 64.37 g fat (7.04 g saturated, about 32.6 g monounsaturated, about 21.9 g polyunsaturated), 6.4 g fibre, 173 mg magnesium, 336 mg phosphorus, 436 mg potassium, 4.31 mg zinc, 0.738 mg copper, 4.61 mg manganese, 8.1 micrograms selenium, 0.867 mg thiamin. One ounce (28.35 g, about nine nuts): 186 kcal, 18.2 g fat, 3.6 g protein, 1.8 g fibre, 49 mg magnesium, 124 mg potassium, 1.2 mg zinc, 0.21 mg copper, 1.3 mg manganese, 0.25 mg thiamin. USDA lists no vitamin E or ALA value for this item. Values vary with species, growing place, roasting and storage.
1 moderate certainty1 low certainty2 not enough evidence
What was looked at
The 4 benefits and uses checked for Hickory Nuts, each with how strong the evidence is. Tap one to open it.
- Manganese, copper and thiamin from the nutModerate certainty
- Blood cholesterol (evidence from other tree nuts)Not enough evidence
- Body weight (evidence from mixed nuts)Low certainty
- Antioxidant activity of kernel oil (lab only, different species)Not enough evidence
Lab markers tracked in the studies
LDL cholesterolBody weight, BMI and waist
What is Hickory Nuts good for?
The main studied uses and how strong the human evidence is for each. None of these are trials of hickory nuts.
Benefits, one by one
Each card is a research question, not a promise. Tap a goal to filter. Open a card to see the studies, doses and limits.
Manganese, copper and thiamin from the nut
Moderate certaintyHickory nuts are a mineral-rich tree nut. By USDA data, one ounce (28.35 g) gives about 57% of the manganese, 23% of the copper and 20% of the thiamin (vitamin B1) Daily Value, and about 186 kcal. This is a nutrient fact from a food database, not a trial of hickory nuts.
1 studiesDried kernels as food. Roasted or salted nuts differ; read the label.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
No human study of hickory nuts was found. The figures come from the USDA record for dried hickory nuts.
Results
Per 100 g: 657 kcal, 12.72 g protein, 64.37 g fat, 6.4 g fibre, 4.61 mg manganese, 0.738 mg copper, 0.867 mg thiamin (USDA, carried forward, not re-opened today).
Effect sizes as reported
Per ounce: 1.3 mg manganese (57% DV), 0.21 mg copper (23% DV), 0.25 mg thiamin (20% DV).
Why this rating
A government food-composition record is a reliable guide to what is in the nut, but this record was not re-opened today and values vary by species, growing place and storage. It says nothing about health effects.
Form and dose studied
Dried kernels as food. Roasted or salted nuts differ; read the label.
Who was studied
Anyone eating the nut as food.
Limits
Nutrient content is not a health benefit by itself. No trial shows that eating hickory nuts changes health.
Why researchers looked
People ask what a wild-gathered nut offers nutritionally.
Traditional use
Hickory nuts have long been eaten as a wild food. Long use as food is not proof that they treat any condition.
Proposed mechanism Reference data
Not applicable: this is a content figure, not a mechanism.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Tree nut allergy: see the Safety tab.
Blood cholesterol (evidence from other tree nuts)
Not enough evidencePooled trials of other tree nuts found lower LDL cholesterol. Hickory nuts were not among the nuts tested, so we cannot say the same holds for them.
1 studiesWhole tree nuts as food in the trials.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A meta-analysis of 61 controlled trials (2,582 adults) of walnuts, pistachios, macadamias, pecans, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts and Brazil nuts. Hickory nuts were not included. Pecan is a close relative, but the abstract does not say how pecans alone performed.
Results
Per serving a day, tree nuts lowered LDL cholesterol by 4.8 mg/dL. The authors found no significant difference by nut type.
Effect sizes as reported
LDL -4.8 mg/dL (95% CI -5.5 to -4.2); total cholesterol -4.7 mg/dL; triglycerides -2.2 mg/dL.
Why this rating
For hickory nuts: no study. The pooled result for other tree nuts is for blood tests over 3 to 26 weeks, not heart disease.
Form and dose studied
Whole tree nuts as food in the trials.
Who was studied
Adults without heart disease.
Limits
Not tested in hickory nuts. Blood tests are not heart attacks or strokes.
Why researchers looked
Nuts as a group are studied for heart-health blood tests.
Proposed mechanism None
Not established for hickory nuts.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Body weight (evidence from mixed nuts)
Low certaintyHickory nuts are energy dense, about 186 kcal per ounce. Pooled trials of nuts in general found that adding nuts to the diet did not significantly change body weight, BMI or waist size. No trial used hickory nuts.
2 studiesNuts as food in the trials.
Studies, doses and limits
What the trials found
A meta-analysis of 33 randomised nut-feeding trials. Nut types are not listed in the abstract.
Results
Compared with control diets, diets with nuts did not significantly change weight (-0.47 kg), BMI (-0.40 kg/m2) or waist (-1.25 cm).
Effect sizes as reported
Weight -0.47 kg (95% CI -1.17 to 0.22); BMI -0.40 (-0.97 to 0.17); waist -1.25 cm (-2.82 to 0.31).
Why this rating
A pooled result of trials, but not specific to hickory nuts and the search ended in December 2012. Personal weight change depends on the whole diet.
Form and dose studied
Nuts as food in the trials.
Who was studied
Adults in randomised trials.
Limits
Not tested in hickory nuts. Does not show that eating more of any nut is right for you.
Why researchers looked
Nuts are high in calories, so people ask whether eating them adds weight.
Proposed mechanism None
Not established.
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Antioxidant activity of kernel oil (lab only, different species)
Not enough evidenceA test-tube study of the kernel oil of Chinese hickory (Carya cathayensis, a different species) found some free-radical scavenging. This is lab chemistry and does not show a benefit from eating hickory nuts.
1 studiesKernel oil in test tubes.
Studies, doses and limits
Results
All three nut kernel oils tested showed some free-radical scavenging; the strongest was Myrica rubra, not the hickory.
Why this rating
Lab only, a different species, no human data.
Form and dose studied
Kernel oil in test tubes.
Limits
Different species from the hickory nuts usually sold as hickory nuts. No health outcome measured.
Why researchers looked
Researchers measured nut oils as a possible food resource.
Proposed mechanism Laboratory research
Free-radical scavenging in test-tube assays (lab only).
A proposed mechanism does not show that the effect happens in people.
Not applicable.
Connections to the rest of health
How Hickory Nuts connects to the rest of our health knowledge graph. Every link says what kind of connection it is. A safety link (for example to the liver) is a warning, not a benefit. A study that merely mentions a topic never creates a benefit link.
Explore every connection: goals, body systems, organs, symptoms, genes
A. Wellness goals
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cholesterol Balance | Not enough evidence | Blood cholesterol (evidence from other tree nuts): Pooled trials of other tree nuts found lower LDL cholesterol. Hickory nuts were not among the nuts tested, so we cannot say the same holds for them. | 1 | |
| Weight Management | Low certainty | Body weight (evidence from mixed nuts): Hickory nuts are energy dense, about 186 kcal per ounce. Pooled trials of nuts in general found that adding nuts to the diet did not significantly change body weight, BMI or waist size. No trial used hickory nuts. | 2 9 |
B. Body systems
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Digestive System | Biological association | Moderate certainty | Studied for: Manganese, copper and thiamin from the nut | 9 |
| Cardiovascular System | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Studied for: Blood cholesterol (evidence from other tree nuts) | 1 |
| Metabolic System | Biological association | Low certainty | Studied for: Body weight (evidence from mixed nuts) | 2 9 |
E. Health conditions
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food allergy | Adverse effect or risk | Documented risk | Tree nut allergy can be severe; no hickory-specific allergen study was found. Hickory is a tree nut; tree nut allergy can be severe. Preparation or compound: Hickory nut as a tree nut |
4 8 |
I. Biomarkers
| Connected to | Kind of connection | Evidence status | Context | Studies |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LDL cholesterol | Biological association | Not enough evidence | Measured in trials: lowered. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 1 |
| Body weight, BMI and waist | Biological association | Low certainty | Measured in trials: no-change. A lab change is not the same as a health benefit. | 2 |
L. Active compounds
Each connection is stored with the ingredient, the connected record, the kind of connection, the evidence status, the supporting studies, the preparation or compound involved, and a review date (last reviewed October 26, 2026).
Evidence at a glance: what changed in 2 lab markers
Tap a number to show only those markers. Counts are markers, not people.
The evidence
The research centre for Hickory Nuts. Every record here was checked against PubMed or the publisher's page; we never list a study we have not verified.
Evidence by outcome
Bars show how many studies we found for each outcome, not how well it works. People are added up across trials only (reviews are not added, to avoid double counting).
How we rate evidence
High certainty
Several well-run trials or reviews agree; further research is unlikely to change the picture much.
Moderate certainty
Good trials point the same way, but some doubt remains.
Low certainty
Small, short or inconsistent trials. The finding could change with better research.
Very low certainty
Very little or very weak human data. Treat as a possibility only.
Mixed findings
Trials or reviews disagree with each other.
Not enough evidence
Not enough human research to say either way.
Evidence against
Good research found no benefit, or found harm.
We take the reviewers' own risk-of-bias and GRADE statements where they exist, and otherwise judge from study size, design, consistency, directness and whether a product matches what is sold. Many publications do not make evidence high. Method note: We started from our existing hickory nut summary, re-read the health agency pages (NHS, MedlinePlus, FDA, CDC) and re-checked the PubMed abstracts. The USDA record could not be reopened today, so its values are carried from an earlier read. Little research exists on this food, so the page is short on purpose.
Study library: every study we checked 9
| Study | Design | People | Product, dose, length | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Del Gobbo 2015 Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials. Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 26561616 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
2582 Adults 18 and over without heart disease, 61 trials of 3 to 26 weeks |
Tree nuts as food (walnuts, pistachios, macadamia nuts, pecans, cashews, almonds, hazelnuts, Brazil nuts); hickory nuts were not included Kernel Trial detail, not advice 3 to 26 weeks · vs Control diets |
Per serving a day (28.4 g), nuts lowered total cholesterol by 4.7 mg/dL, LDL cholesterol by 4.8 mg/dL, ApoB by 3.7 mg/dL and triglycerides by 2.2 mg/dL. No significant effects on other outcomes. Effects did not differ by nut type. LDL cholesterol -4.8 mg/dL (95% CI -5.5 to -4.2) per serving a day (-5.5 to -4.2 mg/dL) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Blood lipids, apolipoproteins, blood pressure, inflammation Limitations: Blood tests, not heart attacks or strokes. Hickory nuts were not among the nuts studied. Trials were short. Funding and conflicts: Abstract lists NIH extramural research support; no conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Flores-Mateo 2013 Nut intake and adiposity: meta-analysis of clinical trials. Am J Clin Nutr · PMID 23595878 · DOI |
Meta-analysis |
Adults in 33 randomised nut-feeding trials | Mixed nuts as food (types not listed in the abstract) Kernel Trial detail, not advice · vs Control diets |
Diets with nuts did not significantly change body weight (-0.47 kg), BMI (-0.40 kg/m2) or waist circumference (-1.25 cm) compared with control diets. Weight -0.47 kg (95% CI -1.17 to 0.22), not significant (-1.17 to 0.22 kg) Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Body weight, BMI, waist circumference Limitations: Not specific to hickory nuts. Search ended December 2012. Funding and conflicts: Abstract lists non-US government research support; no conflict statement in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Ni 2014 Composition and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Kernel Oil from Torreya grandis, Carya Cathayensis, and Myrica Rubra. Iran J Pharm Res · PMID 24734074 |
Laboratory research in-vitro |
None (laboratory chemistry) | Kernel oil of Carya cathayensis (Chinese hickory, a different species), with two other nut oils Kernel oil |
The three nut kernels were rich in fatty acids, mostly unsaturated, with 51% oil content. All three kernel oils showed some free-radical scavenging; the highest was Myrica rubra, not the hickory. Not applicable to people Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Oil composition and free-radical scavenging in test tubes Limitations: Test-tube study on a different species (Chinese hickory), not the shagbark or shellbark hickory sold as hickory nuts. No people were studied. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| Smeekens 2018 Tree nut allergies: Allergen homology, cross-reactivity, and implications for therapy. Clin Exp Allergy · PMID 29700869 · DOI |
Narrative review |
Review of tree nut allergy | Tree nut allergens Kernel |
Tree nut allergy is potentially life-threatening, affects about 1% of people in the US and is outgrown in fewer than 10% of cases. Walnut and pecan are highly cross-reactive. The current guideline after one tree nut allergy is strict avoidance of all tree nuts, and how far other nuts cross-react is unclear. Outgrown in under 10% of cases Methods, limits and fundingOutcomes: Prevalence, cross-reactivity, avoidance advice Limitations: Review, not a trial. Hickory nuts are not mentioned in the abstract. Funding and conflicts: Not stated in the abstract. Read: abstract |
| s-cdc-choking CDC: Choking hazards (infant and toddler nutrition) · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-fda-food-allergies FDA: Food Allergies · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-medlineplus-food-allergy MedlinePlus: Food allergy · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-nhs-food-allergy NHS: Food allergy · Source |
Health agency n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: full-text | ||
| s-usda-fdc-170177 USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, hickorynuts, dried (FDC 170177) · Source |
Reference database n/a |
Methods, limits and fundingRead: carried-forward |
What we do not know yet
- No study of people eating hickory nuts was found for any health outcome.
- The only hickory-related research is a test-tube study of a different species.
- Pecan results may not apply to hickory nuts; allergy overlap was not studied in the sources read.
- Medicine interactions, pregnancy, mould, aflatoxin, rancidity and heavy metals in hickory nuts were not found.
- The USDA values were carried forward from an earlier read and could not be re-opened today.
How new research is added
New studies are found by a saved PubMed search and placed in a review queue before the page changes.
Lab markers
What changed in blood or saliva tests during trials. A changed number is not the same as feeling or being healthier, and we give no "normal ranges".
Metabolic 2
LDL cholesterol
Lowered in trials
The "bad" cholesterol carried in the blood, measured by a blood test.
Not enough evidenceResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Trials of nuts check blood lipids.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
A small change in a blood test, from other nuts. Not shown for hickory nuts.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tree nuts lowered LDL cholesterol by 4.8 mg/dL per serving a day (95% CI -5.5 to -4.2) across 61 trials. | Adults in randomised trials | Other tree nuts as food; hickory nuts not included |
Body weight, BMI and waist
No clear change in trials
Weight, body mass index and waist size.
Low certaintyResults and what it means
Why it was measured
Nuts are energy dense.
Statistical vs. clinical meaning
Reassuring for nuts in general, not hickory-specific.
Safety implication
None specific.
| Study | Result | People | Product |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | No significant change: weight -0.47 kg (95% CI -1.17 to 0.22), BMI -0.40 kg/m2, waist -1.25 cm in 33 trials. | Adults in randomised trials | Mixed nuts as food; hickory not specified |
Safety
What studies and official sources say about side effects, medicines and who should check first. Each point shows what kind of evidence it comes from.
Main points to know 3
- Tree nut allergy can be life-threatening. Hickory nuts are a tree nut. A review says tree nut allergy is potentially life-threatening and outgrown in fewer than 10% of cases. The NHS and MedlinePlus list tree nuts among common allergic foods. For trouble breathing or swelling of the face, lips or throat, call 911 or your local emergency number. Review 4 8 7
- If you are allergic to pecans or walnuts, ask an allergist first. Pecan is a close relative (same genus, Carya). The review says walnut and pecan are highly cross-reactive and that the current guideline after one tree nut allergy is avoiding all tree nuts. No study of hickory nut allergens was found, so we cannot say how closely hickory matches pecan. Review 4
- Choking risk for young children. The CDC lists whole or chopped nuts and seeds among foods to avoid giving young children. Authoritative guidance 5
Side effects 1
| Effect | How often | Severity and recovery | Evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allergic reaction to tree nuts (hives, swelling of lips, face and eyes, wheezing, breathlessness, vomiting; severe reactions) These facts are about tree nut allergy in general. No report of allergy to hickory nuts specifically was found. | Tree nut allergy affects about 1% of the US population (review) | Can be severe or life-threatening Outgrown in fewer than 10% of cases (review) | Review 4 8 7 |
Liver
No liver injury from eating hickory nuts was found. A liver-safety source (such as LiverTox) was not searched for this food.
How often. Not found.
Monitoring. Not found.
This is a safety connection. It is not evidence that Hickory Nuts supports liver health.
Medicines and supplements 1
| With | Why it matters | Importance | Evidence | What to do |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medicines prescription | Not found. | No source read describes a medicine interaction with hickory nuts. This is an absence of information, not proof of safety. | None Not enough evidence | A pharmacist can check if you take medicines. |
Who should check first 2
Overdose, product quality and regulators
Summary. No toxicity from hickory nuts eaten as food was found in the sources read. Spoiled or mouldy nuts were not researched for this food.
Animal. Not reviewed.
Overdose response. Not found.
Genotoxicity. Not researched.
No source on mould, aflatoxin, rancidity or heavy metals in hickory nuts was read. Many hickory nuts are gathered wild or from small trees, so checking for mouldy or rancid kernels is sensible.
Food labels. The FDA says US law requires the type of tree nut (for example almonds, pecans, walnuts) to be declared on labels. The FDA page read does not mention hickory, so check the ingredient list if you avoid tree nuts. 6
| Body | Action | Date |
|---|---|---|
| NHS (UK) (United Kingdom) | Food allergy page: tree nuts, with walnuts and pecans named, are among the most common allergic foods source | 2026-08-20 |
| MedlinePlus (US NIH) (United States) | Food allergy page: tree nuts such as almonds, walnuts and pecans are among the most common causes; symptoms start within minutes to two hours; call 911 for anaphylaxis source | 2025-11-19 |
| FDA (US) (United States) | Tree nuts are one of nine major food allergens; the type of tree nut must be declared on labels source | 2026-03-11 |
| CDC (US) (United States) | Choking hazards page: whole or chopped nuts and seeds are foods to avoid for young children source | 2026-03-11 |
When to get medical help
- Trouble breathing, wheezing or noisy breathing after eating nuts
- Swelling of the lips, face, tongue or throat
- Widespread hives, dizziness or fainting
- A young child coughing, gagging or unable to breathe after eating a nut piece: call emergency services
Stop using the product and contact a clinician or emergency service. In the US, Poison Control is 1-800-222-1222.
General information only, not medical advice. Ask a clinician or pharmacist before use, especially with medicines, in pregnancy or with a health condition. See the Natural Remedy Safety guide.
Frequently asked questions
What are hickory nuts?
They are the kernels of hickory trees such as shagbark (Carya ovata) and shellbark (Carya laciniosa), a tree nut related to the pecan.
Are hickory nuts good for you?
By USDA data they are rich in manganese, copper and thiamin and are energy dense. We found no human research on hickory nuts and health.
Are hickory nuts related to pecans?
Yes. They are in the same genus, Carya. Whether pecan allergy carries over to hickory nuts has not been studied in the sources we read.
If I am allergic to pecans or walnuts, can I eat hickory nuts?
Not without advice. The current guideline after one tree nut allergy is avoiding all tree nuts, and no hickory allergy study was found. Ask an allergist.
Do hickory nuts lower cholesterol?
Not shown. No hickory trial was found. Pooled trials of other tree nuts lowered LDL cholesterol by about 4.8 mg/dL per serving a day.
Do hickory nuts cause weight gain?
Is tree nut allergy serious?
Are hickory nuts safe for toddlers?
The CDC lists whole or chopped nuts and seeds among foods to avoid giving young children because they can choke.
Are hickory nuts safe in pregnancy?
No source about hickory nuts in pregnancy was found. Ask your doctor.
Do hickory nuts interact with medicines?
No source read describes an interaction. That is an absence of information, not proof of safety. A pharmacist can check.
Does the label say hickory nuts contain tree nuts?
The FDA says US law requires the type of tree nut to be declared on labels, and its page does not mention hickory. Check the ingredient list if you avoid tree nuts.
Is hickory nut oil the same as the nuts?
No. The one lab study found used the oil of a different species, Chinese hickory, in test tubes. It does not tell us about eating the nuts.
Explore by health goal
Editorial transparency
- Written by
- AlternativeMed editorial team. Research compiled with AI assistance, then checked against the sources listed.
- Medical review
- None. This page has not been reviewed by a physician or pharmacist.
- First published
- 2026-10-26
- Last substantive update
- 2026-10-26
- How we research
- We started from our existing hickory nut summary, re-read the health agency pages (NHS, MedlinePlus, FDA, CDC) and re-checked the PubMed abstracts. The USDA record could not be reopened today, so its values are carried from an earlier read. Little research exists on this food, so the page is short on purpose.
- How we rate evidence
- See "How we rate evidence" in the Evidence tab.
- Independence
- No product is promoted on this page. No affiliate links are shown.
Sources 9
Each source was opened and checked. Where we read only the abstract, it says so. The small numbers in the text point here.
- Del Gobbo LC, et al.. Effects of tree nuts on blood lipids, apolipoproteins, and blood pressure: systematic review, meta-analysis, and dose-response of 61 controlled intervention trials.. Am J Clin Nutr. 2015. PMID 26561616. DOI 10.3945/ajcn.115.110965. (abstract)
- Flores-Mateo G, et al.. Nut intake and adiposity: meta-analysis of clinical trials.. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013. PMID 23595878. DOI 10.3945/ajcn.111.031484. (abstract)
- Ni L, et al.. Composition and Free Radical Scavenging Activity of Kernel Oil from Torreya grandis, Carya Cathayensis, and Myrica Rubra.. Iran J Pharm Res. 2014. PMID 24734074. (abstract)
- Smeekens JM, et al.. Tree nut allergies: Allergen homology, cross-reactivity, and implications for therapy.. Clin Exp Allergy. 2018. PMID 29700869. DOI 10.1111/cea.13163. (abstract)
- . CDC: Choking hazards (infant and toddler nutrition). . . (full-text)
- . FDA: Food Allergies. . . (full-text)
- . MedlinePlus: Food allergy. . . (full-text)
- . NHS: Food allergy. . . (full-text)
- . USDA FoodData Central: Nuts, hickorynuts, dried (FDC 170177). . . (carried-forward)
Where to buy
Check the label first. Whatever you buy, look for these:
- Raw or roasted, and salted or unsalted
- A best-by date, since nuts and seeds turn rancid
- Tree nut and peanut allergy warnings
- A resealable bag, and cool storage once opened
Talk to a pharmacist or doctor before you start any supplement, especially if you take medicines. See the Safety tab for interactions.
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