Gut Health

Emerging research on the gut microbiome suggests that walnuts may be one food to consider for gut health due to their prebiotic and possible role in providing a variety of associated health benefits.

A study from the USDA and University of Illinois, published in The Journal of Nutrition, found that walnut consumption was associated with positive changes to the gut microbiome. A small sample of 18 healthy adults (ages 35-68) who ate 42 grams (about 1.5 ounces) of walnuts each day for 3 weeks experienced a decrease in secondary bile acids, which may play a role in colon cancer, inflammation, and gastrointestinal diseases. The study also found that eating walnuts resulted in an increase in gut bacteria that is thought to be beneficial for health.

Watch to learn more about the findings