Hazelnut Oil: 7 Surprising Hazelnut Benefits and More

Common Name: Hazelnut, Hazelnut Oil

Scientific Name: Corylus avellana L.

History and Origin

Hazelnut belongs to the Betulaceae family. ⁽¹⁾ With an annual production of more than 863 thousand tons, hazelnut is one of the most valuable nut crops in the world, ranking third in the global nut market. ⁽²⁾

More than a hundred varieties of hazelnuts are cultivated around the world. ⁽³⁾ Turkey is the world's top producer of hazelnuts, followed by Italy, Azerbaijan, the United States, China, Georgia, Iran, Poland, France, Spain, and Chile. More than 660,000 hectares of hazelnuts are harvested worldwide. ⁽²⁾

Hazelnut is utilized in the cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and food industries, ⁽⁴⁾as natural, blanched, and roasted or their products, such as sliced, chopped, flour, oil, and hazelnut butter, in order to provide flavor in chocolate, confectionery, candy, dairy, and bakery products. ⁽⁵⁾

Hazelnuts often thrive in temperate climate regions with relatively high humidity and a high rainfall rate. ⁽⁶⁾ Hazelnuts are primarily found in the northern hemisphere and along the coasts of seas and oceans, where the climate is moderate in winter and cool in summer. ⁽²⁾

Hazelnut is originally from North America, particularly the species C. americana and C. cornuta, and also from Asia Minor, particularly C. avellana. ⁽⁷⁾

Iran is a major hazelnut grower around the globe. In Iran, hazelnut naturally grows mainly in Navan, Goli Dagh, Ashkorat, Alamut, Dinochal, Ardabil, and Tarem. ⁽¹⁾

Also, several hazelnut cultivars ⁽⁸⁾ are cultivated in a few regions of Iran with high relative humidity and high rainfall, as high relative humidity is crucial for producing high-quality hazelnuts.⁽¹⁾ Guilan, Mazandaran, and Ghazvin provinces have around 93 percent of the hazelnut cultivation areas in Iran and are regarded as the most important hazelnut production areas in Iran. ⁽⁹⁾ The hazelnut species mostly resemble shrubs and are rarely found as trees. ⁽¹⁾

The hazelnut cultivars show a high level of genetic diversity for traits such as vigor, growth habits, nut size and shape, and shell thickness. ⁽¹⁰⁾

C. avellana is the most common hazelnut species. ⁽⁷⁾ Its name comes from the Italian town of Avella, when Carl Linnaeus described it as “Avellana nux sylvestris,” meaning the wild nut of Avella. ⁽¹¹⁾

Hazelnut Plant Structure

Hazelnut trees or shrubs, which may grow up to 6 m, ⁽¹⁰⁾ live 75–100 years, ⁽¹¹⁾ and exhibit deciduous leaves 6–12 cm long, softly hairy on both surfaces, and with a double-serrated margin. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Flowers are produced very early in spring, before the leaves, and are monoecious. Nuts develop in clusters of 1–12, each separately enclosed in a green leafy cover. A woody shell surrounds the kernel to protect it. ⁽¹⁰⁾ Before consumption, the leafy husk and the woody shell must be removed from the kernels. ⁽¹¹⁾

Hazelnut Oil Health Benefits

1. Preventing Skin Aging and Repairing Damaged Skin

Hazelnut oil is used as a skin moisturizing and regenerating agent in cosmetic products such as face and body cleansing and care cosmetics (day and night cream), bath oil, shampoo, personal care products, shaving products, and tanning products. ⁽⁴⁾

Increasing the efficacy of skin moisturizer products: According to study findings, adding hazelnut oil to cosmetic formulations increases and prolongs the moisturizing properties of these products. According to some researchers, this property of hazelnut oil is related to phospholipids. ^{(12, 13)}

Suitable for dry skin: Hazelnut oil possesses emulsifying properties. So, it is useful for treating dry skin.

Suitable for oily or acne-prone skin: Hazelnut oil may be useful for reducing sebum production or treating acne due to its astringent and tighten the pores properties.

Protecting the skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation: Hazelnut oil contains chemicals that protect the skin from the damage of the sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays.

Improving or restoring skin elasticity: Hazelnut oil is used in skin care products to promote skin elasticity due to its chemical and physical characteristics. ⁽⁷⁾

2. Increasing Fertility

In a 2016 study, the effect of hazelnut oil in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) was assessed in rats. The researchers found that this oil is effective in the treatment of PCOS through regulating steroids, gonadotropins, serum lipid parameters, and antioxidant activity. ⁽¹⁴⁾

3. Increasing Antioxidant Activity

Lipid peroxidation is a process in which oxidants such as free radicals attack lipids, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and can oxidize these compounds. During the last four decades, many studies have shown the important role of lipid peroxidation in human health. ⁽¹⁵⁾ Lipid peroxidation is an extremely harmful process that can cause cell death or damage. ⁽¹⁶⁾Antioxidants such as vitamin C and vitamin E may prevent lipid peroxidation. ⁽¹⁷⁾

Hazelnut oil is a rich source of antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavanoids, and luteolin. In a 2003 study, the effect of hazelnut oil administration on lipid peroxide levels in plasma was investigated in rabbits with a high cholesterol diet.

A high-cholesterol diet can cause significant increases in lipid peroxide levels in plasma. According to the results of this study, hazelnut oil supplementation reduced lipid peroxide levels in plasma. In addition, this oil reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. ⁽¹⁸⁾

* An increase in free radicals causes overproduction of MDA, which is a final product of polyunsaturated fatty acid peroxidation in cells. In cancerous patients, MDA levels are frequently used as markers of oxidative stress and the antioxidant status of the body. ⁽¹⁹⁾

4. Improving Cardiovascular System Function

According to studies, the prevalence of chronic diseases is low in populations consuming monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich diets. Dietary MUFA consumption prevents or ameliorates cardiovascular disease risk and improves blood lipid composition and blood pressure. ⁽³⁾

Hazelnut oil is also rich in MUFAs and antioxidants. In a 2004 study, the effects of hazelnut oil on cholesterol accumulation in the aorta were investigated in rabbits with a high-cholesterol diet. The findings indicated that hazelnut oil can reduce aortic cholesterol accumulation and it may have an anti-atherogenic property. ⁽²⁰⁾

*What is the aorta? The main artery of the body that carries blood from the heart to the rest of your body. ⁽²¹⁾

What does atherosclerosis mean? The buildup of fats, cholesterol, and other substances in and on the artery walls. ⁽²²⁾ Atherosclerosis causes thickening and hardening of the arteries, ⁽²³⁾ thereby narrowing them and blocking blood flow. ⁽²²⁾

Atherosclerotic is the usual cause of heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease, which together are called cardiovascular disease. ⁽²⁴⁾

5. Regulating Blood Fat Levels

In a 2003 study, the effect of hazelnut oil on lipid and the "bad" forms of cholesterol (VLDL and LDL) in plasma was investigated in rabbits with a high-cholesterol diet. A high-cholesterol diet caused increases in the "bad" forms of cholesterol.

It has been found that hazelnut oil reduced VLDL and LDL without any decreasing effect on lipid levels.

According to these researchers, monounsaturated fatty acids (including omega-9) and antioxidant components found in hazelnut oil are effective in reducing VLDL and LDL. ⁽¹⁸⁾

6. Improving Urinary Tract Function

Hyperglycemia (high blood glucose) has profound negative effects on renal function, leading to significantly elevated levels of serum creatinine, BUN, and uric acid.

In 2013, the effect of oral consumption of hazelnut oil on renal function was evaluated in diabetic rats. Hazelnut oil could lower levels of serum creatinine, BUN, and uric acid.

Although renal dysfunction is one of the most common side effects of diabetes, a diet rich in vegetable oils such as hazelnut oil can help ameliorate it. ⁽²⁵⁾

7. Anti-Microbial

Fatty acids in edible oils possess the ability to interfere with bacterial growth or survival. For instance, linoleic and oleic acids were reported as potent antibacterials.

According to a 2011 study, hazelnut oil that contains oleic acid in the highest amounts has strong antibacterial activity, especially against gram-positive bacteria. According to the researchers, the lower the amount of sterols (such as β-sitosterol, campesterol, avenosterol, and stigmasterol) in hazelnut oil, the stronger its antimicrobial activity. ⁽²⁶⁾

What Are Hazelnut Oil Side Effects?

When taken by mouth: Hazelnut is commonly consumed in foods. It’s usually well-tolerated, but some people are allergic to hazelnuts. Serious allergic reactions are possible. ⁽²⁷⁾

When applied to the skin: The potential risks and negative impacts of utilizing hazelnut oil for skin care are not well known. People who are allergic to nuts (like hazelnuts) avoid nut oils or any products containing them.

* Before using hazelnut oil, you should test for an allergic reaction, even if you are not allergic to nuts. A patch test on your skin is a simple way to accomplish this. ⁽²⁸⁾Apply a small amount of this natural oil to your forearm and wait for a few hours. If you experience any negative side effects, such as swelling, redness, itching, inflammation, rashes, or burning sensations, stop using the product. ⁽²⁹⁾

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Hazelnut is commonly consumed in foods. There isn’t enough reliable information to know if hazelnut and its oil are safe to use as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts. ⁽²⁷⁾

Allergies: Hazelnut allergies can also occur in those who are allergic to cashews, walnuts, peanuts, Brazil nuts, macadamia nuts, birch pollen, or mugwort pollen. ⁽²⁷⁾

Generally, every person may be allergic to certain herbs and spices. This sensitivity must first be diagnosed by the person and secondarily by the physician. However, these allergic reactions do not cause chronic or acute side effects, and after identifying the allergenic plant and removing it from the diet, allergy-related complications will be eliminated. No company or product can be aware of the allergic reactions of different bodies in advance. The body's incompatibility with one or more specific herbs rarely occurs, but consumers may encounter it anyway.

Nutritional Information

Hazelnut has a significant impact on human nutrition and health due to its high nutritional value and special composition of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, vitamins, minerals, phytosterols, squalene, and antioxidant phenols. ⁽⁶⁾

One hundred grams of hazelnuts have 600–650 kcal. ⁽⁵⁾

Hazelnut Oil Daily Dosage

Take one to two tablespoons (15 to 30 ml) per day directly or add it to a food, salad, or beverage.

Bioactive Compounds

According to research, the nutrient composition and content of hazelnut in different varieties or cultivars are very different. ⁽⁶⁾

Fats: Hazelnuts are a good source of fat (50–73%) and contain saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, essential for human health. ⁽⁵⁾

The fatty acids in hazelnuts decrease in the following order: oleic acid (omega 9), linoleic acid (omega 6), palmitic acid, stearic acid, and linolenic acid (omega 3).

Oleic acid is a mono-unsaturated omega-9 fatty acid found in different cultivars of hazelnut, with the highest content observed in cultivars from Italy, Portugal, and Poland. ⁽²⁾ Hazelnut also contains linoleic acid (omega 6) and linolenic acid (omega 3), which are poly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs). Palmitic acid is the major saturated fatty acid, followed by stearic acid. ⁽³⁾

Hazelnut cultivars with higher oleic acid concentrations and a higher "oleic acid to linoleic acid ratio" typically have longer shelf lives. ^{(2, 6)}

Protein: The protein content of this nut varies from 10% to 24%. It has been claimed that eating 100 g of hazelnuts per day could provide 22% of the daily protein requirement in the human diet.

Carbohydrate: Hazelnut includes carbohydrate at 10–22%.

Dietary fiber: Hazelnut contains pectins and celluloses at a rate of 1-3%.

Vitamins: Hazelnuts are a good source of vitamins, such as B1 (thiamin), B6 (pyridoxine), B3 (niacin), and E (α-tocopherol). ⁽⁵⁾

Minerals: Hazelnuts are a valuable source of minerals, including magnesium, potassium, calcium, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and copper. ⁽⁴⁾

Phytosterols: Hazelnut contains phytosterols including sitosterol, campesterol, and delta-5-avenasterol.

Phenols: Hazelnuts contain flavonoids (e.g., flavan-3-ols, catechin, epicatechin, myricetin-3-rhamnoside, and quercetin-3-rhamnoside); phenolic acids, including gallic, caffeic, ferulic, p-coumaric, and sinapic acids; condensed tannin; and stilbene (resveratrol).

It also contains organic acids, although in small amounts, and malic acid is the most abundant organic acid in hazelnut. ⁽⁵⁾

Best Time to Consume

The best time to use hazelnut oil depends on your specific needs and preferences. For example, use it for cooking, skincare, haircare, aromatherapy, massage, or dietary purposes.

Possible Drug Interactions

Blood-thinning medicine: Hazelnut oil is high in vitamin E. If you use an oral blood thinner, you should also consult your doctor before using the oil. Too much vitamin E may intensify the medication's effects, resulting in increased bleeding and longer clotting times. ⁽²⁸⁾

Traditional Use

In some books on Persian medicine, it is specifically emphasized that hazelnut and almond protect the brain tissue and prevent brain atrophy, improving memory. ⁽¹⁰⁾

Hazelnut oil is very effective against cholelithiasis.

Native Americans used hazelnut oil to treat tumors.

The literature also contains data on the use of hazelnut oil to treat ascarias. ⁽³⁰⁾

Some Questions about Hazelnut Oil

What are the benefits of hazelnut oil?

1. Preventing skin aging and repairing damaged skin: Hazelnut oil, as an antibacterial, skin moisturizing, and regenerating agent, is useful for treating dry skin, tightening pores, reducing sebum production, treating acne, and increasing skin elasticity.

2. Increasing fertility: Hazelnut oil is useful for treating ovarian cysts. As a result, it may be effective for treating this condition's skin acne.

3. Improving the antioxidant status and preventing the destructive process of lipid peroxidation: Hazelnut oil is a rich source of antioxidants such as vitamin E, flavanoids, and luteolin. This oil prevents lipid peroxidation, particularly in people with a high-cholesterol diet.

4. Reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease: Hazelnut oil is high in omega-9 monounsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants. Therefore, it can prevent or improve cardiovascular disease risk.

5. Reducing blood cholesterol levels: Omega-9 fatty acids and antioxidant components in hazelnut oil are effective in reducing VLDL and LDL. Also, high amounts of phytosterols in hazelnut oil lower blood cholesterol. Phytosterols are recommended for people at risk for coronary heart disease.

6. Improving diabetic nephropathy: Eating hazelnut oil can help lower levels of serum creatinine, BUN, and uric acid and ameliorate renal function, particularly in diabetics.

7. Antibacterial properties: Hazelnut oil can interfere with bacterial growth or survival. Therefore, it is useful for treating an infected pimple.

8. Hazelnuts are valuable sources of vitamin E (α-tocopherol). According to evidence, α-tocopherol can help lower the risk of type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson’s disease, and the negative effects associated with aging.

9. Hair strengthening: According to the traditional medicine prescription, hazelnut oil helps strengthen hair.

10. Hazelnut oil is traditionally used for treating cholelithiasis.

For more information, see the “Hazelnut Health Benefits” section.

Does hazelnut oil have vitamin E? How much vitamin E is in hazelnut oil?

Hazelnut oil is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin E. ⁽⁵⁾ According to research, the nutrient composition of hazelnut oil, including vitamin E, in different varieties or cultivars is very different. ⁽⁶⁾

Is hazelnut oil good for oily skin? Is hazelnut oil good for acne prone skin?

Hazelnut oil has astringent and tighten the pores properties. So, it is useful for treating acne and reducing sebum production. ⁽⁷⁾

Is hazelnut oil comedogenic (pore-clogging)?

Hazelnut oil has moderately low comedogenic properties. ⁽³¹⁾

Is hazelnut oil good for your hair? / Does hazelnut oil help hair growth?

Hazelnut oil is traditionally used as a hair tonic, ⁽³²⁾hydrating treatment, pre-shampoo treatment, and scalp treatment. ⁽³³⁾

How do you use hazelnut oil on your skin?

You can apply hazelnut oil to your skin alone or in combination with other fixed oils, essential oils, or aloe vera gel.

As a skin cleanser:

For about 20 seconds, cover your face or other area of skin with a hot, damp cloth.
Remove the cloth and gently massage your skin with 1/2 teaspoon (4 to 5 drops) of hazelnut oil. Use more or less if desired.
After 30 seconds, wipe it off with a hot, damp washcloth. ⁽²⁸⁾

For normal use:

Take 4 to 5 drops of oil for dry skin, 2 to 3 drops for oily skin, and massage topically into your skin before going to bed or before applying any lotions. ⁽³⁴⁾

Make sure you do a skin patch test before you do a full application!