A study has revealed that regularly eating Brazil nuts can reduce inflammation and improve gut permeability in overweight or obese women.
According to a study published in The Journal of Nutrition, daily consumption of 8 grams of Brazil nuts could help decrease inflammation and improve intestinal permeability in this demographic. Brazil nuts, a type of nut from the Amazon rainforest, are recognized as one of the richest sources of selenium, a mineral essential for antioxidant defense, immune function, and thyroid hormone metabolism.
Low selenium levels in the blood are known to be associated with various inflammatory symptoms, including gut health issues.
The research team conducted a randomized controlled trial over eight weeks involving 56 adult women aged between 20 and 55, with an average age of 34. Of the participants, 17.4% were overweight, and 82.6% were obese.
The researchers excluded participants whose conditions could affect the outcomes, such as those who were pregnant, nursing, menopausal, athletes, or vegetarians.
Participants were divided into two groups: a control group and a Brazil nut group. Both groups followed a tailored meal plan aimed at losing at least 4 kilograms over eight weeks, but only the Brazil nut group consumed 8 grams of Brazil nuts daily as a snack. The results indicated that both groups lost approximately 3 kg; however, the Brazil nut group showed significantly lower inflammatory markers (such as CRP, TNF, IL1-b, and IL-8) and better gut permeability markers than the control group.
Despite limitations such as the small sample size, the research team concluded that regular consumption of Brazil nuts may offer significant health benefits.
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