THIS cancer-preventing food could improve gut health and digestion
WALNUTS could be key to staving off cancer, heart disease and even dementia by boosting the gut, according to new research.
Experts believe about 28 walnut halves, or a small bag - protects the digestive system and boost probiotic bacteria in the gut.
Walnuts have previously been linked to reducing the risk of bowel cancer.
Eating walnuts may change gut bacteria in a way that suppresses bowel cancer, according to a study in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
Good intestinal bacteria not only improves digestion but also our brain health and weight loss.
Microflora has also been linked to many aspects of health including arthritis, depression, cancer and heart conditions.
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Professor Lauri Byerley, physiologist of Louisiana State University, said: "The health of the gut is related to overall health in the rest of the body.
"Our study is showing walnuts change the gut, which could help explain why there are other positive health benefits to eating walnuts such as heart and brain health."
Walnuts act as a prebiotic to help grow the bacteria which keeps the digestive system healthy.
The study found a diet with walnuts led to an overall significant increase in the diversity of bacteria in the gut.
Professor Byerley said: "Gut health is an emerging research area, but we are seeing greater bacterial diversity may be associated with better health outcomes, whereas low diversity has been linked to conditions such as obesity and inflammatory bowel disease."
The rodents were given either a diet containing ground walnuts, or an alternative with a similar amount of nutrients and calories for up to ten weeks.
Consuming walnuts has been associated with health benefits including a reduced risk of cancer
Rats that ate the walnut-enriched diet saw a rise in beneficial bacteria including Lactobacillus, Roseburia and Ruminococcaceae.
Professor Byerley said walnuts are the only nut that contain a significant amount of omega-3 fatty acid, 2.5 grammes an ounce.
"Walnuts are rich in omega-3 fatty acids, phytochemicals and antioxidants making them unique compared to other foods,” she said.
"Consuming walnuts has been associated with health benefits including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
"Walnuts enriched the microbiota for probiotic-type bacteria including Lactobacillus, Ruminococcaceae, and Roseburia while significantly reducing Bacteroides and Anaerotruncus.”
"Walnut consumption altered the gut microbial community suggesting a new mechanism by which walnuts may confer their beneficial health effects."
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The experts said several epidemiologic studies have linked eating tree nuts, such as walnuts, to living a longer, healthier life.
However, it has not previously been revealed why this is the case.
"Eating walnuts has been associated with a reduced the risk of cardiovascular disease in humans, slowing the rate of tumour growth in mice and maintaining brain health during ageing.
"In summary, we show walnuts change the bacterial communities found in the descending colon.
"We propose that reshaping of the gut microbe community may play a physiological role in promoting walnut's health benefits and this needs further exploration."
Funding for this research was provided by the California Walnut Commission and American Institute for Cancer Research.
