A few Brazil nuts a day might be just what your stressed gut needs.
Tl;dr
- Brazil nuts may improve gut health.
- They reduce inflammation and improve intestinal permeability.
- Selenium, present in large quantities in these nuts, plays a crucial role.
Brazil nuts for gut health
A recent study from the Federal University of Viçosa in Brazil highlighted an interesting discovery: snacking on some Brazil nuts every day could make a significant difference to health of our digestive system.
An improvement observed in overweight women
Researchers studied the effects of consuming these nuts on overweight or obese women. They noted improvements associated with intestinal permeability, often called « leaky gut »and inflammation, a sign of biological stress.
A promising complementary food strategy
According to the authors of the study, “Regular consumption of Brazil nuts may be a promising complementary dietary strategy to control low-grade inflammation and improve intestinal permeability in overweight/obese women undergoing energy restriction therapy”.
The study, despite its limitations in scale and diversity, provides evidence of a simple way to improve gut health, complementing other methods.
The crucial role of selenium
This improvement could be due to the high concentration of selenium in Brazil nuts. This element plays a crucial role in regulating the inflammatory response. Known for its antioxidant power, selenium is a nutrient that protects cells and reduces wear and tear.
However, it should be noted that too much selenium can be toxic to the body. It is therefore recommended to consume only one or two nuts per day to benefit from its benefits.
