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Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts: Which Is Healthier?

This article explains the key similarities and differences between brazil nuts and hazelnuts, foods from the nuts and seeds group. Read on to learn more about the brazil nuts vs hazelnuts comparison.
Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer

Written by Dennis Gillett, Health & Fitness Writer. Updated on January 6, 2023.

Brazil Nuts and hazelnuts belong to the nuts and seeds food group, an important group for a healthy diet, as they provide a wide range of essential nutrients, such as protein, healthy fats, dietary fiber, and vitamins and minerals.

In this article, we’ll put a spotlight on brazil nuts and hazelnuts and compare their similarities and differences.

They both provide a variety of nutrients and are relatively high in calories, like other nuts and seeds.

Brazil Nuts

Brazil nuts (Bertholletia excelsa) are a type of nut that is native to the Amazon rainforest in South America.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Brazil nuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate Brazil nuts into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes. Brazil nuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Brazil nuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores. They are often sold roasted or raw, and can be purchased with or without the shell.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving Brazil nuts a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Brazil Nuts are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), and Vitamin E.

They also contain Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), and Vitamin B9 (Folate) in a small amount.

Hazelnuts

Hazelnuts (Corylus spp.) are a type of nut that is native to the temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.

These nuts have a slightly sweet and slightly nutty flavor, and are often used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Hazelnuts are a good source of nutrients, including protein, fiber, and various vitamins and minerals.

They are also a good source of healthy fats, including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats.

There are many ways to incorporate hazelnuts into your diet.

They can be eaten raw or roasted, and are often used in baking or as a topping for salads and other dishes.

Hazelnuts are also available in a variety of forms, including whole, chopped, and ground into flour.

Hazelnuts are widely available and can be found at most grocery stores and are often sold roasted or raw, and can be purchased with or without the shell.

If you’re looking for a tasty and nutritious nut to add to your diet, consider giving hazelnuts a try.

They are flavorful, versatile, and have a variety of health benefits.

Hazelnuts are an excellent source of Vitamin B1 (Thiamine), Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), Vitamin B9 (Folate), and Vitamin E.

They also contain a good amount of Vitamin B3 (Niacin), Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), and Vitamin K and some Vitamin C, and Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin).

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Nutrition

Now that we’ve described the origin, taste, and usage of these foods, we can move to the most interesting part – comparing brazil nuts vs hazelnuts.

This comparison will start by comparing the caloric value of brazil nuts and hazelnuts and their macronutrients and then go more in-depth by analyzing their vitamin and mineral contents.

Brazil NutsHazelnuts
Energy659 kcal628 kcal
Carbs11.74 g16.7 g
Sugar2.33 g4.34 g
Fiber7.5 g9.7 g
Protein14.32 g15 g
Fat67.1 g60.8 g
Saturated Fat16.134 g4.46 g

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Calories

Nuts and seeds are generally high in calories; the same goes for brazil nuts and hazelnuts, so you should consume them in moderation.

According to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), a proper serving is one ounce, which is roughly equal to 1/4 cup or 28 grams.

To keep the portions under control, the amounts correspond to one serving size: 14 walnut halves, 16 cashews, 24 almonds, 28 peanuts, or 45 pistachios.

Comparing hazelnuts vs brazil nuts for weight loss, hazelnuts are slightly lower in calories, with 176 calories per serving, compared to 185 calories per serving of brazil nuts.

However, both brazil nuts and hazelnuts can and should be a part of a healthy diet, and neither one shouldn’t be avoided if you’re looking to lose weight. It’s just important to eat them in moderation.

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Protein

Nuts and seeds, including brazil nuts and hazelnuts, are an important source of plant-based protein.

Hazelnuts offer around 5% more protein than brazil nuts.

Hazelnuts have 15 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 4.2g per serving), while brazil nuts have 14.3 grams of protein per 100 grams (or 4g per serving).

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Carbs

Counting carbs can be important for some people for different reasons, including blood sugar control, weight management, or athletic performance.

It’s also important for people on a keto diet, so let’s compare the carbs content in brazil nuts and hazelnuts.

The total amount of carbohydrates is around 30% higher in hazelnuts than in brazil nuts. They have 16.7 grams per 100 grams, compared to 11.7 grams in brazil nuts.

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There’s less sugar in brazil nuts than in hazelnuts, 42% precisely.

One handful of brazil nuts (28 grams) contains 0.7 grams of sugar, while the same amount of hazelnuts contains 1.2 grams.

Lastly, let’s take a look at the dietary fiber in brazil nuts and hazelnuts.

Dietary fiber keeps the digestive system healthy and helps with weight management by promoting a sense of fullness.

With 2.7 grams of fiber per portion, hazelnuts are a better source of fiber than brazil nuts which offer 2.1 grams per portion.

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Fats

Like the other nuts and seeds, fats in brazil nuts and hazelnuts are a great source of healthy unsaturated fats, naturally cholesterol free, and free of trans fats.

Total fat in brazil nuts and hazelnuts:

  • Brazil Nuts: 67.1 grams per 100 grams
  • Hazelnuts: 60.8 per 100 grams

Speaking of saturated fats, hazelnuts are 72% lower in saturated fats.

Hazelnuts and brazil nuts contain 4.5 grams and 16.1 grams of saturated fat per 100 grams, respectively.

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Vitamins Content

This section will discuss the vitamin content of brazil nuts and hazelnuts.

Vitamins are micronutrients, meaning we need only a small amount. However, they are very important for many processes in our bodies.

Brazil Nuts have a higher amount of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin B1 (Thiamine), vitamin B2 (Riboflavin), vitamin B3 (Niacin), vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid), vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine), vitamin B9 (Folate), vitamin E, and vitamin K.

Brazil Nuts and hazelnuts contain the same amount of vitamin D, and vitamin B12 (Cobalamin).

The following table shows the exact amount of vitamins brazil nuts and hazelnuts contain side by side, so you can easily compare them.

Brazil NutsHazelnuts
Vitamin A020 IU
Vitamin C0.7 mg6.3 mg
Vitamin D00
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)0.617 mg0.643 mg
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)0.035 mg0.113 mg
Vitamin B3 (Niacin)0.295 mg1.8 mg
Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic acid)0.184 mg0.918 mg
Vitamin B6 (Pyroxidine)0.101 mg0.563 mg
Vitamin B9 (Folate)22 µg113 µg
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)00
Vitamin E5.65 mg15 mg
Vitamin K014.2 µg

Brazil Nuts vs Hazelnuts Minerals Content

Minerals are important for our body to function properly. We need only a small amount of minerals, so they are called micronutrients.

Some minerals, like iron, calcium, zinc or, iodine, are relatively hard to get on a plant-based diet, so it’s important to choose your foods thoughtfully. This part of the brazil nuts and hazelnuts comparison focuses on their mineral content.

Brazil Nuts are a better source of iron, manganese, and potassium than hazelnuts.

On the other hand, hazelnuts have a higher amount of calcium, copper, magnesium, phosphorus, selenium, sodium, and zinc.

Brazil Nuts and hazelnuts contain the same amount of fluoride.

Check out the table below to learn how brazil nuts and hazelnuts compare when it comes to mineral contents.

Brazil NutsHazelnuts
Calcium160 mg114 mg
Copper1.743 mg1.72 mg
Fluoride00
Iron2.43 mg4.7 mg
Magnesium376 mg163 mg
Manganese1.223 mg6.18 mg
Phosphorus725 mg290 mg
Potassium659 mg680 mg
Selenium1917 µg2.4 µg
Sodium3 mg0
Zinc4.06 mg2.45 mg

The Final Word

Brazil Nuts and hazelnuts are highly nutritious and excellent sources of plant-based protein and healthy fats.

Although they are relatively high in calories, they are essential to a healthy, plant-based diet and are linked to many health benefits.

Both brazil nuts and hazelnuts are high in specific vitamins and minerals, and including them in your diet will give you the most benefits they offer.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods, and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.

Nuts and seeds are versatile foods and can be part of any meal or salad, just be sure to eat them moderately, as they are loaded with calories.

Sources

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