Despite a decades-long, multi-billion dollar war on cancer, the global burden of this deadly disease is expected to rise 50% in just the next five years. A handful of nuts a day could help protect you.
Researchers at the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota took note of science finding that nuts are heart healthy. They asked whether nuts could also protect against cancer. They conducted a meta-analysis of 36 observational studies including 30,708 patients on the disease-preventive powers of nut consumption. They included 16 cohort studies along with 20 case-control studies.
- a 24% lower risk of colorectal cancer,
- a 42% lower risk of endometrial cancer, and
- a 32% lower risk of pancreatic cancer.
The authors found no links between nuts and other types of cancers.
- Prevent gallstones and diverticulitis
- Improve sleep by boosting melatonin
- Protect bone health
- Increase cognitive function
And don’t worry about the fat content or calories. Diets that include nuts have been proven not to increase body weight, body mass index, or waist circumference.
Just one caution. Nuts can be difficult to digest because they contain enzyme inhibitors. They are also high in phytic acid which can block absorption of minerals in the body.
Soaking nuts helps disarm the phytic acid. Buy organic raw nuts and soak them in water salted with Celtic sea salt or another high quality unrefined sea salt. Most nuts can soak eight hours or overnight. But some, like cashews, become slimy if you soak them more than six hours.
After they’ve soaked, drain the nuts and roast them on a cookie sheet in a warm oven at the lowest heat – about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Or use a dehydrator.
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