The Impact of Daily Walnut Consumption on Gastrointestinal Symptoms: A Mixed-Method Study in Healthy Adults.

Abstract

Background: Common gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such as abdominal pain, indigestion, and constipation affect a significant portion of the global population and can substantially impair quality of life. Despite these widespread issues, research specifically investigating the effects of walnuts on gut function and GI symptoms remain limited.

Objective: This study investigates the effects of walnuts on gastrointestinal symptoms in healthy adults.

Design: An experimental baseline-end study with an equivalent group design was employed.

Setting: The experimental group consumed 42 grams of walnuts daily, and their gastrointestinal symptoms were compared with those of a control group that did not consume walnuts over a 3-week period.

Participants: Sixty university students were recruited as volunteer subjects, consisting of 30 males and 30 females.

Intervention(s): Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group.

Main outcome measure(s): The independent variable was walnut consumption, and the dependent variable was gastrointestinal health, assessed using the Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) and a qualitative questionnaire to collect participants' perceived changes in GI symptoms.

Analysis: A t-test with a p-value of less than 0.05 and verbatim analysis were utilized.

Results: This mixed-methods study provides evidence for the beneficial effects of walnuts in promoting normal digestive function.

Conclusions and implications: The study provides alternative evidence for the beneficial effects of walnuts in promoting normal digestive function.