Magical qualities of walnut work against cancer and diabetes

US scientists have reaffirmed the benefits of eating walnuts in a new study.

Specialists from the University of California at Davis conducted a series of experiments on a group of male mice diagnosed with prostate cancer. The mice were divided into three diet groups.

The first group did not consume walnuts, the second group received walnuts, and the third one was fed with walnut oil. The experiment showed that the development of the tumor and malignant cells significantly slowed among the rodents in the second and the third groups.

According to Natural News, the scientists explained the success of the experiment with the content of powerful phytonutrients in raw walnuts. This natural product contains that inhibit cancer cells and prevent them from developing.

Just two handfuls of walnuts every day reduces the risk of cancer by almost 50 percent, the scientists said.

Furthermore, walnut oil reduces the amount of harmful cholesterol in blood and increases insulin sensitivity, which helps fight heart disease and reduces the risk of diabetes. For example, one study found that overweight adults with type 2 diabetes who consumed just one-quarter cup of walnuts daily reduced their fasting insulin levels in just a few months' time compared to those on non-walnut diets. It is believed that walnuts can shrink levels of the hormone IGF-1, known to play a key role in development of both prostate and breast cancer, Natural News says.

Thanks to their omega-3 fat content, walnuts are often the subjects of cancer-preventive studies. However, one should be cautious with eating them as walnuts are a high calorie product. For example, just 2.6 ounces of walnuts is about 482 calories, which may - in some people - contribute to an excess of stored fat.

Health benefits of walnuts have been known since time immemorial. Hippocrates and Avicenna mentioned them in the treatment of various diseases. In addition, the ancients thought that they stimulate mental activity. Anna Protsenko, a nutritionist, told MedPulse.ru.

"Walnuts contain a great deal of minerals," the expert explains. "They include iron, copper, cobalt, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, and iodine. Many of them are antioxidants. In addition, walnuts contain unsaturated fatty acids, more than 20 amino acids, and vitamins A, E, B, P and C. By the way, they contain nearly 50 times more vitamin C than citrus, and 8 times more than black currants. In addition, walnuts are rich in protein.

Here are a few popular walnuts recipes recommended by experts:

- To strengthen the immune system:
Mix a pound of walnut kernels, dried apricots, raisins and honey, then squeeze the juice out of two lemons, stir and put the mixture in a jar and cover with lid. Take 1 tablespoon a day. After some time, the course may be repeated.

- To improve metabolism:
Mix equal proportions of grated walnuts, honey and chopped figs. Take 1 tablespoon per day on empty stomach.

- If you have diabetes and want to lower blood sugar:
Get septum from 40 nuts, cover them with a glass of boiling water, keep in a steam bath for an hour then let cool and filter. Take 1 teaspoon three times a day.

- Athlete's Foot:
Take 2 tablespoons of ch o pped walnut septum, pour 0.5 liters of boiling water and let sit for 30 minutes. Use for foot baths twice a week.

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