Walnuts could be a winner in cancer battle

Published on Tuesday 21 April 2009 22:08

WOMEN worried about their risk of breast cancer should snack on walnuts instead of biscuits or crisps, an expert said last night.

Research by US scientists suggests eating walnuts can significantly reduce the chance of developing the disease.

Although the work was done on mice, scientists believe it is likely to be relevant to humans.

Walnuts contain omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants and plant versions of oestrogen that may protect against breast cancer. Laboratory mice at high risk of breast cancer were fed either a normal diet or food containing the human equivalent of two ounces of walnuts per day.

Tests showed that walnut consumption significantly decreased the incidence of breast tumours in the animals.