Researchers from Marshall University (USA) hypothesized that walnut consumption would alter gene expression in pathologically confirmed breast cancers of women in a direction that would be expected to decrease breast cancer growth and survival. A total of 38 women with breast lumps large enough for research and pathology biopsies were recruited and randomized to walnut consuming or control groups, but only 14 completed the study. Immediately after biopsy collection, women in the walnut group began to consume two ounces (60 g approx.) of walnuts per day until follow-up surgery.
 
The study results found that consumption of two ounces (60 g approx.) of walnuts a day for about two weeks significantly changed gene expression in confirmed breast cancers. These results support the hypothesis that walnut consumption could suppress growth and survival of breast cancer.
 
Hardman, W. E., Primerano, D. A., Legenza, M. T., Morgan, J., Fan, J., & Denvir, J. (2019). Dietary walnut altered gene expressions related to tumor growth, survival, and metastasis in breast Cancer patients: A pilot clinical trial. Nutrition Research.

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