New research has suggested eating nuts can more than half the risk of dying from breast cancer.
A study of over 3,500 patients found consumption of nuts reduced recurrence of the disease by 52% and mortality rates by a third.
It applied to all types, from almonds, pistachios, pecans and brazil nuts to walnuts, peanuts, cashews and hazelnuts.
These results also weren’t impacted by the subjects’ other dietary habits, with this being one of the first studies showing the health benefits of nuts; rich in unsaturated fatty acids, protein, fibre, vitamins, and minerals.
As well as the benefits to breast cancer patients, findings showed other positive effects to eating nuts like lowered cholesterol levels, inhibited oxidation, and regulated cell dysfunction.
These findings – published in the International Journal of Cancer – were based on participants in the Shanghai Breast Cancer Survival Study, who completed a food survey five years after diagnosis and were tracked for eight years after that.
Corresponding author Professor Xiao-Ou Shu, of Vanderbilt University in the United States said: ‘Using data from a population-based cohort study, we investigated overall survival and disease-free survival in association with consumption of nuts among long-term breast cancer survivors.’
Participants who ate above half an ounce of nuts (about 20 peanuts, 14 almonds, or 16 walnut halves) were less likely to relapse or die.
Breast cancer is the fourth and second leading cause of cancer death among women in China and the US, respectively.
Diet has long been linked with disease risk and survival, with nuts being associated with reducing the risk of life threatening illnesses – cardiovascular disease, in particular.
But they have not previously been connected with survival outcomes among breast cancer patients.
Although Professor Shu asserts there’s no guarantee that eating nuts will provide better health outcomes, the link this study establishes can help us better understand our diets.
He added: ‘Nuts are important components of healthy diets. Promoting this modifiable lifestyle factor should be emphasised in breast cancer survivor guidelines.’
Breast Cancer Now, Britain’s leading breast cancer charity, recommends nuts as part of a healthy diet as they are high in unsaturated fats.
Kotryna Temcinaite, the charity’s Senior Research Communications Manager at Breast Cancer Now, said: ‘It’s encouraging that eating more nuts could potentially benefit women who have previously been treated for breast cancer.
‘However, more research continuously tracking dietary changes, over a longer period of time, is needed to draw firm conclusions that adding more nuts to the diet can reduce the chances of breast cancer returning and increase survival.
‘We know that for women who have completed breast cancer treatment the fear of recurrence can make it challenging to move forward, making it really important we investigate different ways to prevent breast cancer coming back.
‘This research is a helpful reminder of the importance of eating a balanced diet, maintaining a healthy weight and being physically active, all of which can help reduce the risk of breast cancer recurring.’
The American Heart Association recommends eating about four servings of unsalted nuts a week, or about six ounces. They advise looking for options not cooked in oil, and being aware of your overall calorie and saturated fat intake.
Have you been affected by breast cancer?
You can call Breast Cancer Now’s free helpline on 0808 800 6000 to speak to one of their expert nurses.
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Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
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