Finding new ways to enhance your health is always beneficial.
Whether it’s incorporating more fruits and vegetables into your diet or increasing your daily step count, small changes can often make a significant difference.
If you’re aiming to improve your gut health, snacking on a common food could be incredibly beneficial. Dr. Joseph Salhab, also known as thestomachdoc on TikTok, swears by one particular snack for maintaining a healthy gut, and there are several reasons why.
The doctor advocates for including mixed nuts in your routine, claiming they offer multiple benefits. He consumes two ounces of these nuts three times a week, asserting that they can help reduce the risk of colon cancer, enhance liver health, improve gallbladder health and even assist with issues such as acid reflux.
While consuming this food alone won’t prevent any of these conditions, it appears that nuts can be extremely beneficial. Here’s why they’re so good for you.
Reduces risk of colon cancer
Some studies have suggested that regular consumption of nuts, particularly tree nuts, can decrease the risk of colon cancer recurrence and improve survival rates.
According to one study, patients who regularly consumed at least two one-ounce servings of nuts per week experienced a 42% improvement in disease-free survival and a 57% improvement in overall survival.
Boosts liver health
Incorporating nuts into your diet can be advantageous for liver health, particularly in preventing or managing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), thanks to their high content of healthy fats, antioxidants and other nutrients.
Some research even suggests that a nut-rich diet could be associated with a lower risk of developing NAFLD, a prevalent liver condition.
Improves gallbladder health
Adding nuts to your diet can also help reduce the risk of developing gallstones, a common gallbladder issue. This is due to their high fibre content and presence of healthy fats.
Research has shown that regular consumption of nuts, such as peanuts and tree nuts like walnuts and almonds, may lower the risk of gallstone disease.
Aids acid reflux
Certain nuts, especially those rich in fibre and healthy fats, can aid acid reflux by absorbing excess stomach acid. Nuts also promote a feeling of satiety, reducing the likelihood of overeating.
Why is gut health important?
Gut health is crucial for overall well-being as it’s essential for digestion, nutrient absorption, immune function and even mental health. In addition to supporting a robust immune system, gut health can also influence conditions like diabetes and mental health disorders.
While you can implement basic modifications to improve your gut health, it’s always essential to seek medical advice if you’re concerned at all. If you wish to delve deeper into the issue, reach out to your GP for additional assistance.