Prebiotic nut compounds and human microbiota

Year Published: 2017

Journal

Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr

Authors

Rosa M. Lamuel-Raventos and Marie-Pierre St. Onge

Methods

This article reviews the prebiotic properties of nuts and how they interact with the human microbiota to influence health.

Key Findings

Key Findings: Human gut bacteria can be either beneficial or harmful. Prebiotics are compounds in foods that promote the growth of beneficial bacteria. Some of the prebiotic compounds of nuts (including peanuts) include proanthocyanidins, polyphenols and fiber. Studies have identified that some of these prebiotic compounds may stimulate hormones in the gut while increasing the concentration of bifidobacterium and lactobacillus (good bacteria).