Scientists have found that Brazil nuts may have an anti-inflammatory effect on gut health. Max Oppenheim/Getty Images Brazil nuts are high in selenium, an essential mineral with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
A recent clinical trial suggests that consuming 8 grams of Brazil nuts daily may reduce inflammation and improve intestinal permeability in women with overweight or obesity.
While experts say it’s likely safe and beneficial for most people to eat Brazil nuts, it’s advisable to limit consumption to 1–2 nuts per day to avoid selenium toxicity.
Brazil nuts are one of the richest sources of selenium, a mineral essential for antioxidant defense, immune function, and thyroid hormone metabolism.
Low selenium levels in the bloodstream are associated with several inflammatory conditions, including gut health issues .
Additionally, previous studies have highlighted connections between obesity, inflammation, and gut problems, like increased intestinal permeability, also known as leaky gut . Leaky gut is thought to develop as body fat and inflammation increases, the tight junctions in the cells lining the intestines may loosen.
This allows more antigens, toxins, and bacteria to enter the bloodstream, triggering further inflammation and creating a cycle where obesity and intestinal permeability worsen each other.
A new study explored the impact of daily Brazil nut consumption on inflammation and intestinal permeability, focusing on women with overweight or obesity during an 8-week calorie-reduced diet.
Findings published in The Journal of Nutrition suggest that eating 8 grams of Brazil nuts per day may improve these health markers, likely due to their high selenium content. Participants consumed organic Brazil nuts sourced from Amazonas (Brazil) and donated by ECONUT . Medical News Today attempted to contact ECONUT regarding their involvement in providing Brazil nuts for the study. The company could not be reached for comment at the time of publication. Their support was not a reported conflict of interest.Researchers from the Department of Nutrition and Health at Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil, conducted an eight-week non-randomized controlled trial between June 2019 and September 2021. It involved 56 adult women ages 20–55, with an average age of 34.Participants included those who were overweight with […]
Eating Brazil nuts daily may reduce inflammation, improve gut health
