It's always good to find new ways to boost your health.
Whether it's adding more fruit and vegetables to your diet, or increasing your daily steps, little changes can go a long way sometimes. If you're looking to improve your gut health, it turns out snacking on a common food could work wonders.
According to Dr. Joseph Salhab, also known as thestomachdoc online, he ensures he snacks on one thing to maintain a healthy gut, and there are a few reasons why. The doctor said including mixed nuts in your routine can be really beneficial in more ways than one.
He eats two ounces of the nuts three times a week, as he claims it can help to decrease the risk of colon cancer, improves liver health, improves gallbladder health and also aids with issues such as acid relflux.
While eating the food alone won't prevent any of these issues, it turns out nuts can be super beneficial. Here's why they are so good for you.
Reduces risk of colon cancer
Some studies have actually suggested that regular nut consumption, particularly tree nuts, can lower the risk of colon cancer recurrence and improve survival rates.
According to one study, patients who regularly consumed a minimum of two one-ounce servings of nuts per week had a 42% improvement in disease-free survival, as well as a 57% improvement in overall survival.
Boosts liver health
Adding nuts to your diet can also be beneficial for liver health, especially in helping to prevent or manage non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This is because of their high content of healthy fats, antioxidants and other nutrients.
Some studies have even suggested that following a diet rich in nuts can also be linked with a reduced risk of developing NAFLD - a common liver condition.
Improves gallbladder health
Adding nuts to your diet can also help to slash the risk of developing gallstones - a common gallbladder problem. This is because they are high in fibre and also contain healthy fats.
Studies have found that, if you consume nuts regularly, such as peanuts and tree nuts like walnuts and almonds, you may be able to lower the risk of gallstone disease.
Aids acid reflux
Certain nuts, particularly those rich in fibre and healthy fats, can aid acid reflux by absorbing excess stomach acid. Nuts also work to promote a feeling of fullness, and can limit the chances of someone wanting to over-eat.
Why is gut health important?
Gut health is super important for overall well-being as it's vital for digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function and even mental health. As well as supporting a robust immune system, gut health can also have an impact on conditions like diabetes and mental health disorders.
While you can make simple changes to aid your gut health, it's always vital to seek medical advice if you're worried about it all. If you want to discuss it further, contact your GP for more help.
