Medical News Today (MNT)Eating Brazil Nuts Daily May Reduce Inflammation, Improve Gut Health

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Recent research suggests that daily consumption of Brazil nuts may have beneficial effects on inflammation and gut health in women with overweight or obesity. A clinical trial conducted by researchers at Universidade Federal de Viçosa, Brazil, investigated the impact of Brazil nut consumption on inflammatory markers and intestinal permeability during an 8-week calorie-restricted diet.

Key Points:

• The study included 46 women aged 20-55 with overweight or obesity, divided into a Brazil nut group and a control group.
• Participants in the Brazil nut group consumed 8 grams of Brazil nuts daily, providing 347.2 micrograms of selenium.
• After 8 weeks, the Brazil nut group showed significantly increased selenium levels and reduced inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein, tumor necrosis factor, IL-1β, and IL-8.
• The Brazil nut group exhibited slightly improved intestinal permeability markers compared to the control group, although changes were statistically similar across both groups.
• Higher blood selenium levels were associated with lower inflammation markers, particularly IL-1β and IL-8.
• The study suggests that selenium from Brazil nuts may play a role in reducing inflammation and improving gut health, potentially through its antioxidant properties and effects on selenoproteins.
• Experts recommend limiting Brazil nut consumption to 1-2 nuts per day to avoid selenium toxicity, as a single Brazil nut provides nearly double the daily recommended intake of selenium for most adults.

“Selenium acts as a powerful antioxidant, boosting selenoproteins that neutralize oxidative stress and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines, thereby improving intestinal permeability.”
– Alyssa Simpson, RDN, CGN, CLT

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