The research team assigned 87 healthy adult males and females aged 18 to 45 into two experimental groups and a control group, and fed them the given snacks according to a predetermined rule for a total of 4 weeks. ▲ The experimental group divided the whole almonds and the powdered almonds for each group and consumed a total of 56 g of almonds per day, divided into two portions of 28 g each, twice a day at set times. Two muffins were consumed in total twice a day at the same time. Participants were also asked to drink at least 100ml of water with a snack.
After 4 weeks, the researchers studied the relative numbers of bifidobacteria in the investigator’s stool and the composition and diversity of fecal microbes, short-chain fatty acids in the stool, intestinal transit time of food, intestinal acidity (pH), intestinal activity. (frequency and regularity), intestinal symptoms were measured.
Consequently, with respect to metabolites of the gut microbiota, both total and individual amounts of short-chain fatty acids showed no significant differences between the almond intake group and the control group. Notably, the experimental group that ate whole almonds had multiple bowel movements 1.5 times per week, confirming that there was a statistically significant difference.
Furthermore, as a result of the analysis of the microbial composition of the feces measured at the beginning of the experiment, there was no significant difference in phyla and genera between the bacterial groups. Furthermore, the number of fecal bifidobacteria in the almond intake group did not increase compared to the control group, regardless of whether the almonds consumed were whole or powdered.
The California Almond Association added that previous research had found that consuming almonds increases microbial diversity by reducing the relative numbers of potentially harmful bacteria.
Professor Kevin Wellen said: ‘Gut microbes can also affect health by producing short-chain fatty acids such as butyric acid. It is significant in that it has shown that it can have a beneficial effect on human health,’ he said.
