A team of researchers from the Jackson Laboratory of Genomic Medicine found that eating walnuts affects the intestinal microflora in a way that reduces the likelihood of colorectal cancer. The research is published in the journal Cancer Prevention Research.
The researchers found that if mice consumed 7-10.5 percent of their total calories in the form of walnuts, they were significantly less likely to develop colon cancer. The effect was most pronounced in male mice, which developed 2.3 times fewer tumors when fed on an amount of nuts equivalent to a human serving of about 30 grams.
Walnuts contain polyunsaturated fatty acids, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, and vitamin E, known for its anti-cancer properties. Research shows that walnuts also help reduce the risk of dietary and lifestyle-related diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and neurological disorders.
Scientists tested the effect of walnuts on two groups of mice. The first ate standard laboratory food, the second - the usual food for Americans. Within each group, there was a subgroup whose diet was supplemented with walnuts. The results showed that mice that ate their familiar food with nuts were less likely to develop colon cancer.
Researchers analyzed the composition of the gut microbiota in animals and found that the consumption of walnuts promotes the growth and reproduction of bacteria, which helps protect against cancer. For example, some microorganisms digest fiber to form compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.
According to scientists, before walnuts can be unambiguously recommended as a means of preventing cancer, it is necessary to study their effect on the human body.