text: A handful of peanuts a day may help prevent food poisoning, a study has found. Eating the kernels without their skins can improve gut health and the ability to ward off bugs like E.coli, according to the research. Scientists from the University of Maryland found that flour made from peanut kernel significantly stimulated the growth of Lactobacillus casei and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the type of friendly bacteria more commonly associated with yoghurt drinks. Eating peanut kernels without their skins can improve gut health and the ability to ward off bugs like E.coli, according to research by the University of Maryland . By increasing the amount of good bacteria, the peanut flour was able to reduce the amount of a dangerous bacterium, Enterohaemorrhagic E.coli, which can cause severe food poisoning. The friendly bacteria out-competes the harmful bacteria by occupying space on intestinal walls and by producing antimicrobial substances. Four made from peanut kernel stimulates the growth of friendly bacteria, research has found . Lead researcher Dr Debabrata Biswas said: ‘Eating approximately 50g of peanut kernels a day could improve the gut microflora and would help to protect against foodborne illnesses caused by common foodborne bacterial pathogens.’ When the scientists tested the peanut skin, however, they found it had the opposite effect to the peanut kernel, inhibiting the growth of good bacteria and promoting the growth of the harmful E.coli and Salmonella bacteria. Writing in the Journal of Food Science, the researchers concluded: ‘These results suggest that peanut kernels, by improving the beneficial effect of lactobacillus, might reduce the risk of foodborne pathogens infection in the gut. ‘However, the role of peanut skin in human health remains to be further investigated.’ E.coli can be transmitted by eating undercooked meat such as mince, or contaminated vegetables that haven’t been washed properly. Salmonella is found in the gut of many animals, especially poultry. Proper cooking usually destroys it. Undercooked eggs can also be a source.
target: Flour made from peanut kernel majorly stimulated growth of friendly bacteria .
  This means it can lower amount of E.Coli, University of Maryland study found .
  Harmful bacteria is out-competed as friendly takes up space on intestine wall .