Health

Want to Prevent Cancer? Eat More Nuts

Emilija Manevska/Getty Images

by Julia Savacool

Even among healthy foods Opens a New Window. , nuts Opens a New Window.  are VIPs. They contain heart-supporting fats and muscle-building protein, and are super-satisfying. Another selling point: They could help prevent cancer.


Men who ate at least three servings of nuts a week saw their colorectal cancer risk drop 72 percent. Nuts’ bioactive compounds, antioxidants Opens a New Window. , and phytochemicals may be credited for the anticarcinogenic effects, notes study author Jeeyoo Lee at the Seoul National University College of Medicine.

The amount you need to see benefits is small—about 12 almonds. So don’t go nuts.