From The June 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News

Almonds Promote Colon Health

The first animal study demonstrating that almonds help protect against colon cancer has been completed at the University of California at Davis. The findings are particularly significant since many people avoid nuts because studies have shown that saturated fat (as found in nuts) increases colon cancer risk.

The study involved 344 rats divided into several groups, using different diets with the same total fat levels. The groups were fed 200 g of either whole almonds in a kg of feed, partially defatted almond meal chow, almond oil-supplemented chow, or the control diet. Between the fifth and sixth weeks, the animals were injected with azoxymethane, which causes colon cancer. After six months, the rats' colons were examined for cancer, as determined by the number of aberrant crypt foci and the percentage of cells undergoing rapid DNA synthesis.

The groups fed any form of almond had less indication of colon cancer than the control group, but those fed whole almonds fared better than those fed almond oil or almond meal. The animals given whole almonds had a greater reduction in aberrant crypt foci and a smaller percentage of rapidly dividing cells. The researchers suggest that a combination of compounds might be required for cancer protection. This suggests that while there are anti-carcinogenic agents in the almond oil and almond meal, the two combined provide the most potent protection.

Other research findings that link high-fat diets to increased cancer risk may be the result of diets low in cancer-fighting fruits and vegetables. Despite their fat content, nuts may be a true health food.

—Cancer Letters, 2001 Apr 10;165:27-33.