May lower risk
Walnuts, almonds and other tree nuts
walnuts, almonds, cashews, pecans, hazelnuts. Fats & nuts.
- Verdict
- May lower riskSome studies point to lower risk, but it isn't confirmed.
- How sure
- Rung 2 · LimitedFew, small or conflicting human studies, or only indirect measures such as blood markers.
- How big
- 42% better disease-free survival in one observational study of colon cancer survivors.
The rung shows how sure the science is, not how big the effect is. How to read these ratings
Cancers affected
Colon (after diagnosis)
What the evidence shows
In 826 people treated for stage III colon cancer, eating at least two 1-ounce servings of nuts a week was linked to 42% better disease-free survival and 57% better overall survival. Tree nuts showed the link; peanuts, which are legumes, less so.
What to do
A small handful a few times a week. Observational, so not proof of cause.
Sources
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the colorectal cancer page.