Good news for those who are suffering from breast cancer. Researchers from Marshall University reported that their mice studies reveal that taking regular diet including walnuts reduces the risk of breast cancer considerably. Their findings appeared in the Nutrition and Cancer journal.

Study Leader, Elaine Hardman compared how the effects of a diet including walnuts differ from the effects of a usual diet across the lifespan. 2 ounces a day is the walnut amount taken in the test diet for humans.

During the course of study, Hardman observed about 50% less rate of breast cancer development in the group taking walnut diet as compared to the group taking usual diet. Moreover, smaller number and sizes of tumors were also observed.

“These reductions are mainly observed in mice those were programmed genetically to develop a high rate cancer but we can successfully reduce cancer risk even if genetic mutation preexists,” said Hardman.

It was also noted that modifying diet does not confirm that which ingredient of the diet provided the benefit. It only confirms that total dietary fat get balanced in the mice. Thus, Hardman’s conclusion was based on the fact that several other studies confirmed that walnuts’ numerous ingredients reduce cancer risk.

However, some other studies revealed that increasing omega 3 fatty acids do not provide anti-cancer effect but increasing dietary vitamin E can.

The Marshall study revealed that the activity of numerous genes was altered by diet containing walnuts, using genetic analysis. These genes are related to breast cancer.

The critical role of diet in maintaining our health is highlighted in the Hardman’s findings.

She further explained, “These findings of the study suggest that increasing the daily dietary consumption of walnut will surely reduce the cancer risk in future generations, if not at least it can slow down the cancer progression.”