Understanding the Radioactivity Found in Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts, a popular snack and a fantastic source of selenium might be more dangerous than you think. Surprisingly, these nuts are also highly radioactive. This article delves into the reasons behind their radioactivity and what it means for your health.

Background Radiation and Food

Radium is a highly radioactive element found in uranium and thorium ores. It contributes to background radiation, an environmental form of radiation we are exposed to daily. Approximately 11% of our annual exposure to background radiation comes from the food we consume.

Why Are Brazil Nuts Radioactive?

The high levels of radium in Brazil nuts can be traced back to the roots of the Bertholletia excelsa tree, which produces these nuts. These trees have extensive root systems that reach deep into the ground, often more than six feet below the surface. The soil at these depths is rich in natural radium, absorbed by the tree roots and large amounts of natural radon gas emitted by decaying elements.

Additional Contamination During Storage

Once harvested, Brazil nuts are typically stored in wooden crates or woven baskets. This storage method allows further contamination by airborne radon daughters—radioactive particles that stick to the nut shells while they wait in storage rooms.

Health Implications

Eating Brazil nuts temporarily increases one’s dose rate due to gamma radiation emitted from inside the stomach after ingestion—a truly bizarre concept! However, it’s important to note that while Brazil nuts are naturally high in radium compared to other foods, your exposure will remain relatively low unless your diet consists solely or primarily of them.

Conclusion

In summary, there may be some truth to the assertion that your jar of mixed nuts could be considered nuclear. However, unless you plan on consuming Brazil nuts in quantities that would present other significant health risks, radiation is probably the least of your concerns. Enjoying them as part of a balanced diet should not pose any severe health threats.