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
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).