Contrary to what its name suggests, a coconut (Cocos nucifera) is not a nut—it’s a fruit.Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a tree nut for the purposes of food allergen labeling.Coconuts may be a concern for people who have allergies to other nuts. However, just because you areallergic to tree nutslike cashews or almonds doesn’t necessarily mean that you also have an allergy to coconut.Coconut allergies are uncommon. Yet, the challenge is that coconut is found in many foods, so it’s important to understand whether or not you’re allergic to it.Jon Feingersh/Iconica / Getty ImagesDoes a Tree Nut Allergy Apply to Coconut?The real question is whether coconut is a dangerous food for those with tree nut allergies. And the answer is, “It depends.“Allergies to coconutsare believed to be far less common than allergies to cashews and almonds (two particularly allergenic tree nuts).Botanically, coconuts are most closely related to other palms and betel nuts. They come from coconut palm trees and are not closely related to most other tree nuts.While botanical relationships are not the only factor that determines whether two foods will be cross-reactive, foods that are close biological relatives often share related allergenic proteins. A good example of this phenomenon are cashews and pistachios. These are two closely related plants that contain similar proteins. People who are allergic to one of these nuts are often allergic to both.There is some evidence of cross-reactivity between coconuts and hazelnuts and between coconuts and walnuts. One study also found an association between coconut allergies and those to almonds and macadamias.While there are associations, the likelihood of also having a coconut allergy remains considerably low. For example, one study examined children with peanut and tree nut allergies. The results concluded that these children were more likely to be sensitive to sesame than coconut.Testing for a Coconut AllergyWhat does this mean about coconut’s role in your diet if you’ve been diagnosed with another tree nut allergy? It is important to ask your allergist.Most people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut, but there are some who need to be cautious. Depending on your history, your allergist may order additional testing or may reassure you that eating coconut is OK.How to Avoid CoconutTo avoid coconut in foods, you need to be a food label detective. Because of food allergy labeling laws, packaged food products manufactured in the United States should list any coconut on the packaging with other common allergens.Coconut is present in many foods as a derivative in the form of coconut oil, rice, sugar, water, cream, milk, and milk powder. It’s also present in rum, candy, and many desserts.You’ll find many coconut-derived ingredients in soaps and shampoos as well. Some people may haveskin sensitivity (or allergic contact dermatitis)to coconut oil from these products. Therefore, if you feel it may be causing itchy or irritated skin, keep an eye out for ingredients and alcohols in beauty products that may be derived from coconut.

Contrary to what its name suggests, a coconut (Cocos nucifera) is not a nut—it’s a fruit.Despite this, the Food and Drug Administration classifies it as a tree nut for the purposes of food allergen labeling.

Coconuts may be a concern for people who have allergies to other nuts. However, just because you areallergic to tree nutslike cashews or almonds doesn’t necessarily mean that you also have an allergy to coconut.

Coconut allergies are uncommon. Yet, the challenge is that coconut is found in many foods, so it’s important to understand whether or not you’re allergic to it.

Jon Feingersh/Iconica / Getty Images

Group of friends sipping coconut with straw

Does a Tree Nut Allergy Apply to Coconut?

The real question is whether coconut is a dangerous food for those with tree nut allergies. And the answer is, “It depends.“Allergies to coconutsare believed to be far less common than allergies to cashews and almonds (two particularly allergenic tree nuts).

Botanically, coconuts are most closely related to other palms and betel nuts. They come from coconut palm trees and are not closely related to most other tree nuts.

While botanical relationships are not the only factor that determines whether two foods will be cross-reactive, foods that are close biological relatives often share related allergenic proteins. A good example of this phenomenon are cashews and pistachios. These are two closely related plants that contain similar proteins. People who are allergic to one of these nuts are often allergic to both.

There is some evidence of cross-reactivity between coconuts and hazelnuts and between coconuts and walnuts. One study also found an association between coconut allergies and those to almonds and macadamias.

While there are associations, the likelihood of also having a coconut allergy remains considerably low. For example, one study examined children with peanut and tree nut allergies. The results concluded that these children were more likely to be sensitive to sesame than coconut.

Testing for a Coconut Allergy

What does this mean about coconut’s role in your diet if you’ve been diagnosed with another tree nut allergy? It is important to ask your allergist.

Most people with tree nut allergies can safely consume coconut, but there are some who need to be cautious. Depending on your history, your allergist may order additional testing or may reassure you that eating coconut is OK.

How to Avoid Coconut

To avoid coconut in foods, you need to be a food label detective. Because of food allergy labeling laws, packaged food products manufactured in the United States should list any coconut on the packaging with other common allergens.

Coconut is present in many foods as a derivative in the form of coconut oil, rice, sugar, water, cream, milk, and milk powder. It’s also present in rum, candy, and many desserts.

You’ll find many coconut-derived ingredients in soaps and shampoos as well. Some people may haveskin sensitivity (or allergic contact dermatitis)to coconut oil from these products. Therefore, if you feel it may be causing itchy or irritated skin, keep an eye out for ingredients and alcohols in beauty products that may be derived from coconut.

5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beveridge FC, Kalaipandian S, Yang C, Adkins SW.Fruit biology of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).Plants. 2022;11(23). doi:10.3390/plants11233293Food and Drug Administration.Guidance for industry: A food labeling guide.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). doi:10.3390/children4100085Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023Stutius LM, Sheehan WJ, Rangsithienchai P, et al.Characterizing the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.xAdditional ReadingPolk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of Tree Nut and Coconut Sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023.Stutius LM, et al.Characterizing the Relationship Between Sesame, Coconut, and Nut Allergy in Children. Pedatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x.

5 Sources

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Beveridge FC, Kalaipandian S, Yang C, Adkins SW.Fruit biology of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).Plants. 2022;11(23). doi:10.3390/plants11233293Food and Drug Administration.Guidance for industry: A food labeling guide.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). doi:10.3390/children4100085Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023Stutius LM, Sheehan WJ, Rangsithienchai P, et al.Characterizing the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.xAdditional ReadingPolk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of Tree Nut and Coconut Sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023.Stutius LM, et al.Characterizing the Relationship Between Sesame, Coconut, and Nut Allergy in Children. Pedatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x.

Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

Beveridge FC, Kalaipandian S, Yang C, Adkins SW.Fruit biology of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).Plants. 2022;11(23). doi:10.3390/plants11233293Food and Drug Administration.Guidance for industry: A food labeling guide.Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). doi:10.3390/children4100085Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023Stutius LM, Sheehan WJ, Rangsithienchai P, et al.Characterizing the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x

Beveridge FC, Kalaipandian S, Yang C, Adkins SW.Fruit biology of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.).Plants. 2022;11(23). doi:10.3390/plants11233293

Food and Drug Administration.Guidance for industry: A food labeling guide.

Anagnostou K.Coconut Allergy Revisited. Children (Basel). 2017;4(10). doi:10.3390/children4100085

Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of tree nut and coconut sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi:10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023

Stutius LM, Sheehan WJ, Rangsithienchai P, et al.Characterizing the relationship between sesame, coconut, and nut allergy in children. Pediatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi:10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x

Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of Tree Nut and Coconut Sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023.Stutius LM, et al.Characterizing the Relationship Between Sesame, Coconut, and Nut Allergy in Children. Pedatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x.

Polk BI, Dinakarpandian D, Nanda M, Barnes C, Dinakar C.Association of Tree Nut and Coconut Sensitizations. Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2016;117(4):412-416. doi: 10.1016/j.anai.2016.07.023.

Stutius LM, et al.Characterizing the Relationship Between Sesame, Coconut, and Nut Allergy in Children. Pedatr Allergy Immunol. 2010;21(8):1114-8. doi: 10.1111/j.1399-3038.2010.00997.x.

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