Walnut Consumption and Gut Microbiota

Obesity is a growing health issue that effects the majority of adults in the United States. Prevalence of other metabolic diseases are increased in obese adults, including systemic inflammation. There is emerging evidence that the gut microbiota have a mediating role in controlling inflammation by producing butyrate when ingested fiber is fermented. Since these microbes are modifiable by diet, the investigators plan to introduce walnuts to the diets of participants with obesity because they are rich in fiber and unsaturated fatty acids. The purpose of this study is to understand the impacts of walnut consumption on the gut microbiota and the effect they have on bile acid profiles and systemic inflammation. The investigators intention is to identify how these walnut-derived molecules influence Faecalibacterium spp., a butyrate producing microbe. Increased levels of butyrate have shown to decrease secondary bile acids and decrease inflammation.