New research published in The Journal of Nutrition suggests that adding selenium-rich Brazil nuts to your diet could help reduce inflammation and improve gut health, especially for women who are overweight or obese and following a calorie-controlled eating plan.
Obesity often leads to inflammation in the body, which can increase the risk of conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease.
Some foods, like Brazil nuts, are rich in selenium, an important nutrient that has been shown to help fight inflammation.
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This study looked at how eating Brazil nuts every day might improve health in women struggling with their weight.
Researchers in Brazil ran an 8-week study with women aged 20-55, all with a body mass index (BMI) of 27 or higher.
Half of the group followed a healthy, calorie-restricted diet without nuts, while the other half did the same but added 8g of Brazil nuts to their daily meals.
The goal for both groups was to lose at least 4kg, and the researchers measured various health markers, including inflammation and gut health, before and after the study.
The study found that women who consumed Brazil nuts had lower levels of inflammatory markers, such as C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumour necrosis factor (TNF), compared to those who did not include nuts in their diet.
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Both groups lost weight during the intervention, but the Brazil nut group experienced a slightly greater reduction in waist size.
Additionally, the women who ate Brazil nuts had significantly higher levels of selenium in their blood, which was associated with reduced inflammation.
Although there was no major difference in gut health between the two groups, the Brazil nut group did show modest improvements.
While more research is needed, this study suggests that Brazil nuts could be a useful addition to weight management and healthy eating plans.
Read the study here.
