April 4, 2019 | 2 minute read

Listen to Dr. Daniel Rosenberg, Director of the Colon Cancer Prevention Program at the University of Connecticut Health Center discuss how AICR’s funding has impacted his research on walnuts and colon cancer.

Colorectal cancer is the third most common type of cancer in the U.S. In January 2019, AICR announced funding of several projects including Dr. Daniel Rosenberg’s research on reducing the risk of colorectal cancer through diet management.

Dr. Rosenberg’s research grant will help him dig deeper into how gut bacteria affects the metabolization of ellagic acid into beneficial antioxidants called urolithins. Ellagic acid, commonly found in various fruits and nuts, may reduce the risk of colorectal cancer by controlling inflammation in the digestive tract.

The bacteria that lives in our digestive tract can dramatically alter how we metabolize our food, including food components that may protect us from cancer. One of the goals of Dr. Rosenberg’s team is to develop and implement effective approaches for colon cancer prevention.

AICR funded another study by Dr. Rosenberg and his team on the beneficial effects of walnut consumption on colon cancer and inflammation. The study examined the chemo-preventive efficacy of walnuts in reducing the incidence of colon cancer and will evaluate the effectiveness of walnuts in inhibiting formation of precancerous lesions and tumors.