Moderate intake of walnuts reduces the risk of breast cancer
Last reviewed: 01.05.2024
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Scientists from the University of Marshall (USA) found that the risk of breast cancer is significantly reduced when the usual diet contains a moderate amount of walnuts. True, as long as it is installed only for mice.
A diet with walnuts changes the activity of many genes that are associated with breast cancer in both mice and humans.
In the course of the study, specialists compared the effects of normal diet and diet with walnuts on the life of one generation of rodents - from the moment of conception to the cessation of breastfeeding and then with self-feeding. The number of nuts in food was equivalent to 55 grams per day for a person. Mice were genetically programmed for the onset of cancer.
The results of the experiment showed that in the "walnut" group in both stages breast cancer developed two times less often than in those eating normal food without nuts. In addition, representatives of the first group had fewer tumors and they were not large. In short, scientists managed to reduce the risk of cancer even in GM animals.
Using genetic analysis, the researchers found that a diet with walnuts changes the activity of many genes that are associated with breast cancer in both mice and humans. Other tests have shown that an increase in the amount of Omega-3 fatty acids in the diet is not the only cause of the anti-cancer effect: tumor growth slowed when rodents consumed more vitamin E.
Specialists emphasize that nutrition plays a vital role in health. From what we eat, the functions of the body, its reaction to illness and health in general, depend.
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