Do peanuts promote cancer metastasis? I advise you to eat them this way to be safe!

This article was reviewed by Pa Li Ze, chief physician of nutrition, member of the Science Popularization Committee of the Chinese Nutrition Society

Mention peanuts

Many people are familiar with

Peanuts are known as the "longevity fruit"

Not only tastes sweet and crispy

Especially rich in nutrition

However, some studies have pointed out:

Cancer patients eat a lot of peanuts

Increased risk of cancer spreading

Is this true?

Under what circumstances are peanuts likely to cause cancer?

How should we eat it?

Let me show you about it!

Will eating too many peanuts promote cancer metastasis?

In July 2021, researchers from the University of Liverpool published such a research result in the international medical journal Carcinogenesis.

Researchers have found that peanuts contain a carbohydrate-binding protein called peanut agglutinin. When the human body consumes a certain amount of peanuts, this substance can quickly enter the blood circulation and interact with the blood vessel wall (endothelial) cells, thereby producing two cytokines, namely interleukin 6 and monocyte chemoattractant protein.

Both of these cytokines are "cancer metastasis promoters". Simply put, they are like a "transporter" that can help tumor cells move from one place to another.

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There are two limiting conditions for the conclusions of this study: the first is cancer patients, and the second is that consuming large amounts of peanuts can lead to an increase in "peanut agglutinin", which in turn produces more cytokines that promote the metastasis of cancer cells, and may ultimately increase the risk of cancer spread and metastasis.

It is particularly noteworthy that the study found that only large doses of peanuts (approximately 250g, which is equivalent to a bowl of rice eaten at one time) may increase the risk of metastasis about an hour after intake, while low doses of peanuts (25g~35g) have no effect on tumor metastasis.

Does locally pressed peanut oil pose a cancer risk?

Answer: Yes

Peanuts have a high contamination rate of aflatoxin (but not all peanuts have aflatoxin). If they are stored at room temperature for too long, they may become moldy and produce aflatoxin. In addition, the crude oil extraction process cannot be refined, so there will be a lot of other impurities.

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Therefore, whether you eat peanut oil for a long time or a short time, it is not good for your health. If you eat peanut oil mixed with moldy peanuts in small amounts for a long time, it is easy for people to get liver cancer and other cancers without knowing it; if you eat too much in a short time, it will cause acute poisoning, fever, vomiting, anorexia, jaundice, ascites, lower limb edema and other liver toxicity symptoms, and in severe cases, it may even lead to liver failure and death.

Throw away moldy peanuts before eating them

Is there a cancer risk?

Answer: Yes

If the peanuts are moldy, it is recommended to throw away all of them instead of just the moldy parts, because even if the moldy parts are thrown away, the other peanuts may have been contaminated with aflatoxin and there is still a possibility of carcinogenesis.

How to eat peanuts more healthily?

1. Don’t be greedy when eating peanuts

Peanuts have a high fat content and eating too much can easily lead to obesity. It is advisable to consume about 15g to 20g a day, if they are not shelled, which is about 15 peanuts.

Note: People with gout, cholecystitis, diabetes, and indigestion should not eat too many peanuts.

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2. Boiled peanuts are the first choice

The best way to eat peanuts is to boil, stew or cook them into porridge. This method does not involve frying or baking, and preserves the original flavor and nutrition of the peanuts to the greatest extent.

3. Eat less fried peanuts

Multi-flavored peanuts, purple sweet potato peanuts, fried peanuts, etc. may also produce other toxic and harmful substances. After repeated frying or baking, in addition to high calories, a large number of B vitamins are destroyed, protein, cellulose and fresh peanut skins are partially carbonized, and the nutritional value is reduced.

Source: CCTV Life Circle

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