Consuming Peanuts Increase Cancer Spread Risk in Tumor Patients

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Consuming Peanuts Increase Cancer Spread Risk in Tumor Patients

Consuming Peanuts Increase Cancer Spread Risk in Tumor Patients.

Cancer patients are advised to limit their consumption of peanuts, according to research conducted at the University of Liverpool in the UK.

Peanuts, a common type of nut, offer a variety of culinary uses and are known for their numerous health benefits.

Peanuts can be enjoyed either raw or roasted shortly after being harvested from the ground. They are a rich source of protein, often comparable to soybeans. Additionally, peanuts contain various vitamins, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, iodine, manganese, and other essential nutrients. Notably, they are also a source of unsaturated fatty acids that promote heart health and can contribute to a feeling of fullness, making them beneficial for weight management.

However, researchers at the University of Liverpool have found that frequent peanut consumption by cancer patients may increase the risk of cancer spread.

Consuming Peanuts Increase Cancer Spread Risk in Tumor Patients

Following peanut consumption, a carbohydrate-binding protein known as Peanut Agglutinin (PNA) rapidly enters the bloodstream and interacts with endothelial cells lining the blood vessels, resulting in the production of cytokines.

The cytokines in question are IL-6 and MCP-1, which are well-known factors that promote cancer metastasis. An increase in cytokines prompts other endothelial cells to express more cell surface adhesion molecules, making them more attractive to circulating tumor cells and potentially facilitating their spread.

In an earlier study, Professor Yu Lu-Gang, the lead author of the research, and colleagues reported that PNA entering the bloodstream binds to a specific sugar chain. This interaction primarily occurs on premalignant and cancer cells and interacts with a larger protein expressed on the surface of tumor cells in the blood.

This interaction triggers changes in the larger protein, exposing potential adhesion molecules on the surface of cancer cells, making them stickier and more likely to adhere to blood vessels. It also enables cancer cells to form clusters, prolonging their survival in the body’s circulation.

Many epithelial cancers spread to other organs through the bloodstream.

Professor Yu Lu-Gang stated, “While further research and investigation are needed, these studies suggest that frequent peanut consumption by cancer patients may increase the risk of metastasis.”

Fortunately, a large-scale study in the United States reported no significant impact of peanut consumption on cancer mortality. Another study found that peanut intake did not significantly affect the prognosis of prostate cancer patients. In previous studies involving healthy volunteers, a high concentration of PNA in the blood shortly after consuming large amounts (250 grams) of peanuts was only temporary. Therefore, it is considered safe to consume “normal” amounts of peanuts that result in lower PNA concentrations.

“However, the risk associated with circulating PNA still exists, at least with relatively high levels of PNA found shortly after the consumption of large quantities of peanuts, which could have significant biological effects on circulating tumor cells and potentially increase the risk of metastasis. Therefore, cancer patients are advised to limit their consumption of peanuts, especially in large quantities or very frequently,” advised Professor Yu Lu-Gang.

Researchers state that further investigation is needed through population-based epidemiological studies to determine the impact of consuming peanuts in large quantities on the survival of cancer patients.

As a result, it remains uncertain whether peanut consumption leads to cancer spread in cancer patients. To mitigate any potential risks, it is advisable to consume peanuts in moderation.