Investigating how walnuts and gut bacteria affect colon cancer risk

Microbiota, Metabolites, and Colon Neoplasia

NIH-funded research University of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt · NIH-11094770

This study is looking at how eating walnuts might help lower the risk of colon cancer by changing the bacteria in your gut and producing a helpful compound called Urolithin A, and it's for people aged 45 to 75 who want to learn more about how their diet can affect their health.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionUniversity of Connecticut Sch of Med/dnt NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Farmington, United States)
Project IDNIH-11094770 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research explores the relationship between walnut consumption, gut microbiota, and the risk of colon cancer. It focuses on a compound called Urolithin A, which is produced by gut bacteria from walnuts and is believed to have anti-cancer properties. The study will involve a randomized, controlled trial with participants aged 45-75 to assess how walnut supplementation influences cancer risk factors and the production of Urolithin A. By understanding individual differences in Urolithin A production, the research aims to identify potential biomarkers for cancer prevention.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adults aged 45-75 who are interested in dietary interventions for cancer prevention.

Not a fit: Patients who are not within the age range of 45-75 or those who do not consume walnuts may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to dietary recommendations that significantly reduce the risk of colon cancer.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has shown promising results regarding the cancer-preventive properties of dietary polyphenols, making this approach both relevant and potentially impactful.

Where this research is happening

Farmington, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions anti-cancer
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.