Peanuts can Help Ward Off Food-Borne Illnesses by Improving Gut Microflora

The human gut microflora plays an important role in the normal functioning of the body. Besides helping in digestion, it helps us combat infections from other microorganisms. Researchers have now found that consuming peanuts white kernel may assist in improving human gut microflora and help prevent food-borne illnesses caused by intestinal bacterial pathogens such as Enterohaemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) and Salmonella.

The peanut shell, comprises of two major portions, brown thin skin and white kernel. Researchers from University of Maryland found that the kernel or kernel powder (also called peanut flour) has probiotic like effects. The findings of the study suggest the idea that people with vulnerable gut conditions may benefit from consuming peanut white kernel by stimulating growth of probiotics.

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Further research is required to assess whether the stimulation of probiotic growth with peanut kernel could reduce inflammation and colitis, and control gastrointestinal infections.

The study is published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) in Food Science.

Source-Medindia

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