Nuts contain a number of beneficial nutrients, and eating certain amounts of them as part of a healthy diet is good for human health, but sometimes eating them may be a source of food pollutants.

The Saudi Food and Drug Authority recommends buying nuts from reliable places, and avoid buying them from street vendors because of the possibility of poor storage conditions that contribute to the growth of fungi such as mycotoxins (aflatoxin).

Mycotoxins are compounds produced by some types of fungi in a natural way when the environmental conditions are suitable for their growth, such as a suitable temperature and humidity during storage. Aflatoxins are chemical pollutants that may cause diseases in humans when exposed to and consumed.

The authority calls for the disposal of nuts that show insect infestations or traces of rodents, which are indicators of poor storage and handling, and may in turn contribute to providing a suitable environment for the growth of fungi.

It is advised to buy nuts in appropriate quantities as needed and keep them in dry, airtight plastic wrappers and at low temperatures, preferably with freezing temperatures below zero degrees Celsius.

Nuts help maintain the health of the heart and digestive system, and promote a feeling of satiety for long periods, because they contain a high percentage of fiber and a good percentage of unsaturated oils. They also contribute to strengthening the immune system and the health and safety of the skin because they contain many antioxidants and vitamins such as vitamin (E).