According to researchers, consuming almonds has a positive impact on the intestinal bacteria which play an essential role in our health… Explanations!
- Consuming certain types of food can positively influence the types and role of bacteria present in our gut.
- It is recommended to eat about 30 g or 23 almonds per day, which corresponds to a handful.
There are countless works that show the importance of food to stay healthy. An English study published yesterday in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition confirms that health does indeed reside in the plate, especially when it improves the composition of our microbiota, all the bacteria present in our intestines, our second brain.
And according to these researchers from King’s College London, this is the case with almonds.
Almonds have many health benefits
Rich in protein, group B and E vitamins, magnesium, phosphorus and fibre, and with a low glycemic index, they are known to reduce the risk of developing a chronic disease such as diabetes.
Scientists reveal that they also have an essential role in the digestive and immune systems since they participate in the production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate: “These molecules serve as a fuel source for colon cells, regulate the absorption of other nutrients in the gut, and help balance the immune system.“says the lead author of the study, Professor Kevin Whelan, Head of the Department of Nutritional Sciences.
Indeed, when these cells are functioning efficiently, the ideal conditions are in place for gut microbes to thrive, the gut wall to be strong without leaks or inflammation, and for nutrients to be absorbed, the authors write.
Balanced diet: almonds are allies of choice
The researchers recruited 87 healthy adults who consumed less than the recommended amount of dietary fiber (30 grams per day) and who nibbled on typical snacks (e.g. chocolate, crisps).
The participants were divided into three groups: one of them replaced his snacks with 56 g of whole almonds per day, another with 56 g of ground almonds per day, and the control group ate energy-equivalent muffins. The trial lasted four weeks.
The scientists found that butyrate levels were significantly higher in people who ate the almonds than in those who ate the muffins.
In addition, the experiment showed that the consumption of whole and ground almonds improved the diet of people, since thanks to the almonds they had higher intakes of fiber, potassium and other nutrients compared to the control group. .
