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The effect of nut consumption (tree nuts and peanuts) on the gut microbiota of humans: a systematic review
The gut microbiome makes use of several dietary elements for its homeostasis and functionality. Prebiotic fibers and polyphenol compounds found in dietary sources like nuts were demonstrated to have a favorable impact on the gut microbiome. In this systematic review by Fitzgerald et al. (2021), the authors searched prominent databases (PubMed, Cochrane CENTRAL, MEDLINE, CINAHL, up to and including November 2019) to investigate the body of evidence examining the impact of nut consumption on the microbiome. Studies included in the review (n = 8) investigated different dietary nuts, including hazelnut, walnut, pistachio, and almond. Nut consumption led to an increase in short-chain fatty acid-producing microbiome genera, such as Lachnospira, Clostridium, Dialister, and Roseburia, in addition to an overall alteration of microbiome diversity. Of the included studies, two demonstrated substantial changes in α-diversity (microbiome composition within the same sample), while four studies demonstrated substantial changes in β-diversity (differences in microbiome composition between samples) following nut consumption, an observation seen more profoundly with the consumption of walnuts. Walnuts are thought to bring forth this phenomenon due to their distinct nutritional constitution. Despite the heterogeneity of the studies in terms of methodology, design, and the differences observed between the microbiome of individuals, the authors postulate that nut consumption may help modulate the gut microbiome. [NPID: DNA sequencing, gut microbiome, gut microbiota, nuts, prebiotics, systematic reviews]
Year: 2021
