ALBANY,
Ga., Sept. 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A recent
study conducted by the University of
Wisconsin – Madison and published in the journal Current
Developments in Nutrition has found that the skins of peanuts
may inhibit the growth and proliferation of childhood leukemia
cells. In lab tests, researchers discovered that the polyphenols in
peanut skins successfully reduced the proliferation of the cancer
cells for up to 72 hours after application.1
"While the data is still preliminary, this study adds to the
growing body of evidence that suggests the bioactive compounds in
peanuts and their skins can contribute to improving our health, and
that including peanuts regularly in the diet may even be protective
against cancer," says Dr. Samara
Sterling, a nutrition scientist and research director for
The Peanut Institute.
The paper-thin skins of peanuts contain polyphenolic compounds,
including resveratrol, phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols and
isoflavones that may help prevent the development of certain
cancers. The skins also have bioactive compounds, including
antioxidants, that help neutralize cell-damaging molecules in the
body called free radicals. Plus, they are packed with protein,
carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vitamins and minerals. Some snack
peanuts, as well as in-shell and boiled peanuts, are available with
the skins on.
Cancer Fighting Compounds
It's believed several
compounds in peanuts work together in a synergistic way to help
stop cancer cells from developing.2 Specifically,
procyanidins, phytosterols and resveratrol, which are bioactive
compounds that are naturally in plants, have shown
cancer-preventative qualities.
Evidence also suggests that phytosterols may prevent cancer
cells from growing and spreading and may cut off the blood flow to
cancers, inhibiting lung, stomach, ovarian, prostate, colon
and breast cancers.
Like phytosterols, resveratrol has been found to cut off the
blood supply to growing cancers and to inhibit cancer cell growth.
It has shown promise in helping fight breast, lung, colorectal,
prostate, brain and bladder cancers. A 2017 study observed that
resveratrol accomplishes this in breast cancer by preventing
cancerous cell invasion.3
Other studies have found:
- Regularly eating nuts like peanuts was associated with a lower
cancer risk.4
- Just two weekly servings of peanuts or peanut butter reduced
the risk of benign breast disease (BBD) in young adulthood by up to
39%.5
- Procyanidins, found in peanuts, appear to reduce inflammation
and kill cancer cells by preventing them from growing and
dividing.6
Cancer Fighting Foods
Peanuts are one of many "cancer
fighting foods."7 Other beneficial foods are broccoli,
cabbage, bok choy, Brussels
sprouts, tomatoes, berries, oranges, grapefruit, beans, peas and
lentils.
"Incorporating nuts, fruits and vegetables into a daily diet is
smart because these plant-based foods contain phytochemicals that
can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer and can help you live
a longer, healthier life," says Dr. Sterling. "Adults should have a
handful of peanuts and five servings of fruits and vegetables a
day."
The Peanut Institute has created a helpful guide on Healthy
Nutrition for Cancer Prevention & Support that can be
downloaded. The website also contains a page on What and How to Eat
During Cancer.
"Just a small amount of peanuts can deliver significant
benefits. Plus, peanuts and peanut butter are affordable and
convenient so they're easy to incorporate into a child or adult's
daily diet," adds Dr. Sterling.
For more health news, visit PeanutInstitute.com or follow
Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Based in Albany, Ga., The
Peanut Institute is a non-profit organization supporting nutrition
research and developing educational programs to encourage healthful
lifestyles that include peanuts and peanut products. The Peanut
Institute pursues its mission through research programs,
educational initiatives and the promotion of healthful lifestyles
to consumers of all ages. As an independent forum, The Peanut
Institute is uniquely positioned to work with all segments of the
food industry, the research community, academia, consumer
organizations and governmental institutions.
Sources
- Pornpat (Aom) Jantip, Chandra K Singh, Yaa Asantewaa K Klu,
Bradley Bolling, Peanut Polyphenols
Are Bioaccessible and Inhibit Proliferation of Cultured Jurkat
Leukemia Cells, Current Developments in Nutrition, Volume 8,
Supplement 2, 2024, 102631, ISSN 2475-2991,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdnut.2024.102631.
- Falasca M, Casari I, Maffucci T. Cancer chemoprevention
with nuts. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2014 Sep 10;106(9). pii:
dju238. doi: 10.1093/jnci/dju238. Print 2014 Sep. Review. PubMed
PMID: 25210199.
- Andreani C, Bartolacci C, Wijnant K, Crinelli R, Bianchi M,
Magnani M, Hysi A, Iezzi M, Amici A, Marchini C. Resveratrol
fuels HER2 and ERα-positive breast cancer behaving as proteasome
inhibitor. Aging (Albany NY).
2017 Feb 26;9(2):508-523. doi: 10.18632/aging.101175. PubMed PMID:
28238967; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC5361678.
- Naghshi S, Sadeghian M, Nasiri M, Mobarak S, Asadi M, Sadeghi
O. Association of Total Nut, Tree Nut, Peanut, and Peanut Butter
Consumption with Cancer Incidence and Mortality: A Comprehensive
Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Observational
Studies. Adv Nutr. 2021 Jun
1;12(3):793-808. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa152. PMID:
33307550; PMCID: PMC8166551.
- Berkey CS, Willett WC, Tamimi RM, Rosner B, Frazier AL, Colditz
GA. Vegetable protein and vegetable fat intakes in pre-adolescent
and adolescent girls, and risk for benign breast disease in young
women. Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2013 Sep;141(2):299-306. doi:
10.1007/s10549-013-2686-8. Epub 2013 Sep 17. PMID: 24043428; PMCID:
PMC3903425.
- Lee Y. Cancer Chemopreventive Potential of Procyanidin. Toxicol
Res. 2017 Oct;33(4):273-282. doi: 10.5487/TR.2017.33.4.273. Epub
2015 Oct 15. PMID: 29071011; PMCID: PMC5654195.
- Underferth, D. (2019, March). 36 foods that may help lower your
cancer risk. The University of Texas MD
Anderson Cancer Center. MDAnderson.org.
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SOURCE The Peanut Institute