Recent study measured protective effect of nuts in colorectal cancer

Nuts, according to recent studies by nutritionists at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena, can reduce the growth of cancer cells in the gut.

Nuts are full of ingredients that are good for the cardiovascular system that protect against obesity or diabetes. Their colorectal cancer protective effect is also indicated in numerous studies, according to the nutritionists. What was not yet known in detail is what the protective effect of nuts is based on. The scientists now answered this question.

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Body's defense is boosted
The health-promoting effect of nuts is based, among other things, on the fact that the body's defense is activated to detoxify reactive oxygen species. Such substances, which are produced for example by ultraviolet radiation or various chemicals, can cause cell damage that leads to the onset of cancer. However, the body has a whole series of protective mechanisms that neutralize reactive oxygen species. These, as the Jena nutritionists have now shown, are fueled by nuts and their ingredients.

The researchers investigated the effect of a total of five different nut varieties: macadamia, hazelnut and walnut as well as almonds and pistachios. The nuts have been artificially "digested" in the test tube. The resulting digestion products were subsequently investigated by the scientists for their effectiveness on cell lines. They have found that, for example, the activity of the protective enzymes catalase and superoxide dismutase in the treated cells increases. In addition, the so-called programmed cell death is induced by the digestion products in the treated cancer cells.

They have been able to demonstrate this effect in all nut varieties investigated. The study can be found here.