Snacking on nuts could help beat colon cancer by ‘stopping the disease returning’
Research studies by Professor Charles Fuchs, director of Yale Cancer Centre in the US, reveals eating tree nuts can 'significantly lower risk' of colon cancer returning
Eating nuts may help beat colon cancer, according to a new study.
Researchers found that people with colon cancer who regularly eat nuts are at "significantly lower risk" of cancer recurring than those who don't.
The study followed 826 participants in a clinical trial for an around six-and-a-half years after they were treated with surgery and chemotherapy.
Those who regularly consumed at least two, one-ounce servings of nuts each week showed a 42 per cent improvement in disease-free survival and a 57 per cent improvement in overall survival.
An ounce would be 18 cashews, 24 almonds or 14 walnut halves.
Senior author Professor Charles Fuchs, director of Yale Cancer Centre in the US, said: "Further analysis of this cohort revealed that disease-free survival increased by 46 per cent among the subgroup of nut consumers who ate tree nuts rather than peanuts."
Tree nuts include almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, cashews, and pecans. In contrast, peanuts are actually in the legumes family of foods.
Lead author Dr Temidayo Fadelu, a postdoctoral fellow at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, said: "These findings are in keeping with several other observational studies that indicate that a slew of healthy behaviours.
"Including increased physical activity, keeping a healthy weight, and lower intake of sugar and sweetened beverages, improve colon cancer outcomes.
"The results highlight the importance of emphasising dietary and life-style factors in colon cancer survivorship."
Dr Fuchs said dietary changes can make a difference.
An earlier analysis of diets in the same patient cohort by the research team found a "significant link" between coffee consumption and reduced recurrence and mortality in colon cancer.
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He explained how he advises his patients about lifestyle choices.
Dr Fuchs said: "First and foremost I talk about avoiding obesity, exercising regularly and staying away from a high-carbohydrate diet.
The findings were published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.