Walnuts and Breast Cancer

photo by SusanneK

The health benefit of eating nuts regularly is known by most- nuts contain protein, healthy fats, antioxidants and vitamins. A study from the Marshall University School of Medicine now shows that consuming walnuts, which are high in omega-3 fatty acids, phytosterols and flavonoids, may help to prevent breast cancer. The study was done using a strain of mice that normally develops breast cancer. Mice were put on either a standard diet or fed the human equivalent of 2 ounces of walnuts each day. The walnut-fed mice developed fewer tumors; when tumors did arise, they took longer to develop and were much smaller compared to tumors in non-walnut fed mice. Although these studies were performed in mice, it is likely that similar cancer prevention benefits would be seen in humans. Previous reports have also linked nuts with lowered risk of coronary heart disease in women. In addition to walnuts, other foods high in omega-3 fatty acids include fish (particularly salmon), flaxseeds and green vegetables.

Sources: BBC News- “Walnuts May Prevent Breast Cancer”
Science Daily- “Walnuts May Prevent Breast Cancer”