Peanuts are named among foods that improve gut microbiota

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Improving the intestinal microbiota or microbiome is associated with an increase in the number of beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract.

Scientists representing the University of Pennsylvania studied which foods contribute to the development of healthy bacterial flora in the intestines. Scientists conducted two studies.

One study showed that a product such as peanuts is beneficial for intestinal health when used as a snack. People who participated in the scientists' experiment ate a small handful of peanuts (28 grams) every day.

The control group of subjects snacked on cheese and crackers. In two groups, scientists analyzed how these products affect intestinal bacteria, which are responsible for immune system reactions, as well as metabolic processes in the liver. The experiment lasted six weeks.

“Participants who ate peanuts had an increased number of beneficial intestinal bacteria,” the authors of the project said.

The state of the intestinal microbiota is considered one of the most important indicators of health. The effectiveness of the immune system, susceptibility to inflammation and cancer, weight, and mental state depend on how balanced the bacterial composition of the digestive tract is.

Scientists have found that the composition of the intestinal microflora also improves through the consumption of herbs and spices: cinnamon, ginger, cumin, turmeric, rosemary, oregano, basil, and thyme. It is noted that when they are added to the diet, the number of various friendly intestinal bacteria increases.