A study report points out that eating a handful of almonds daily is good for stomach health. Research conducted by researchers at King’s College London has revealed that almonds help produce butyrate, a type of fatty acid that improves the health of the stomach and intestines. The research results were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.
Thousands of microorganisms, including beneficial bacteria, live in the human stomach. They play a crucial role in digestion, nutrient absorption and immunity. Certain types of food create favorable conditions for the growth of these microorganisms. According to researchers, the dietary fiber present in almonds maintains the balance of gut microbiota.
The research involved 87 adults who did not consume the recommended amount of dietary fiber and who ate unhealthy snacks such as chocolate and chips. They were divided into three groups and one group was given 56 grams of whole almonds daily. The second group was given 56 grams of ground almonds per day, while the third group was given muffins. The researchers observed that the other two groups had higher levels of butyrate in their bodies than the group that ate the muffins. The experiment lasted for four weeks.
Butyrate is a fuel for the cells lining the stomach and intestines. When there is enough butyrate these cells work effectively and absorb nutrients from food at the right rate. But no significant change in the time taken for food to pass through the intestines was seen in the different groups.
Content Summary: Almond and Stomach Health