Recently, the "US Almonds - Always in a Good Mood" health benefits research sharing event was held in Beijing. At the event, Huo Junsheng, an associate researcher at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, pointed out that consuming almonds and almond skin can improve the gut microbiota of healthy adults and regulate the activity of intestinal bacterial enzymes, providing prebiotic effects. This prebiotic effect may be attributed to its high content of dietary fiber and phenolic substances.
It is reported that a study on the prebiotic properties of almonds and almond skin in healthy young adults, conducted by Fuzhou University, was recently published in "Anaerobe". Previously, animal and in vitro studies had assessed the prebiotic effects of almonds and almond skin, but this was the first human clinical trial. The study indicates that as a healthy snack, almonds can provide a nutritional combination that improves overall health, including plant protein, hunger-satisfying fiber, healthy fats, and important vitamins and minerals. It can also significantly increase the number of beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, while inhibiting the growth of certain harmful bacteria. Furthermore, almonds are a healthy snack that contains protein, dietary fiber, and vitamin E, and is cholesterol-free. Consuming almonds can create a feeling of fullness, thereby helping to control the intake of other high-calorie foods.