Peanuts are one of the most popular snacks in the world. Many people enjoy them because they are crunchy, filling, and easy to eat anywhere. They are also often seen as a healthy food because they contain protein, good fats, vitamins, and minerals.
For most people, eating peanuts in normal amounts is safe and can be part of a balanced diet. However, new research from the University of Liverpool has found something that may be important for people who have cancer or are recovering from it.
The scientists studied a natural substance in peanuts called Peanut Agglutinin, or PNA for short. This substance is a type of protein that can attach to certain sugars found on cells in the body.
When a person eats peanuts, a very small amount of PNA can pass from the digestive system into the bloodstream. Usually, the body handles food proteins without any problem. But the researchers wanted to know whether this peanut protein could affect cancer cells in a harmful way.
The study found that PNA may change how blood vessels behave. Blood vessels are like highways that carry blood, oxygen, and nutrients around the body. Their inner walls are lined with a thin layer of cells that act as a protective barrier. This barrier normally controls what can pass through.
According to the research, when PNA is present in the blood, it can cause the body to release certain chemical messengers called cytokines. Two of these chemicals, known as IL-6 and MCP-1, are linked to inflammation and the movement of cells.
When the levels of IL-6 and MCP-1 rise, the walls of blood vessels may become easier for cancer cells to attach to and move through. This matters because cancer becomes more dangerous when it spreads from its original location to other parts of the body.
This spreading process is called metastasis. Once cancer cells enter the bloodstream, they can travel to new organs and form new tumors. Anything that makes it easier for cancer cells to stick to blood vessel walls could increase this risk.
In earlier work, the same research team also found that PNA can stick directly to cancer cells. Cancer cells often have more of certain sugar molecules on their surfaces than normal cells do. PNA can bind to these sugars and cause cancer cells to cluster together.
When cancer cells form clumps, they may survive better while traveling through the blood. These clusters can then settle in a new place in the body and begin growing again.
It is important to understand that this research does not mean peanuts are dangerous for everyone. For healthy people, peanuts remain a nutritious food. They provide energy, support heart health, and can help people feel full between meals.
The concern is mainly for people who already have cancer, especially cancers that tend to spread easily. Even then, this study is only one piece of evidence, and scientists still need to learn more.
The researchers explained that more studies are needed to understand how much PNA actually enters the bloodstream after eating peanuts and how long it stays there. They also want to find out whether different types of peanuts or processing methods change the amount of PNA.
Until more is known, doctors are not telling everyone with cancer to stop eating peanuts completely. Instead, they suggest discussing diet choices with healthcare professionals who understand the patient’s specific condition.
If you or someone close to you is going through cancer treatment, it may be helpful to ask a doctor or nutrition expert about foods that are safest to eat. Good nutrition is very important during treatment because the body needs strength to heal and fight disease. Small changes in diet can sometimes make a difference in comfort and recovery.
This study, published in the scientific journal Carcinogenesis, shows how complex the relationship between food and health can be. Even everyday foods can have unexpected effects in certain situations.
Scientists continue to study how diet influences cancer so that patients can receive the best advice possible. Staying informed and asking questions can help people make choices that support their health during a difficult time.
If you care about cancer, please read studies that a low-carb diet could increase overall cancer risk, and vitamin D supplements could strongly reduce cancer death.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about how drinking milk affects the risks of heart disease and cancer and results showing higher intake of dairy foods linked to higher prostate cancer risk.
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