When it comes to our overall well-being, the food we consume plays a key role. Through our diet, we provide our body with the essential nutrients, vitamins, fiber, and energy to get through the day. The Standard American Diet (SAD), is “believed to contribute to the health challenges experienced in the United States, including cancer.” According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, only about 8% of the standard American diet consists of protective foods. The truth is that no food by itself can help in the fight against cancer, but there are several foods that are believed to help prevent it.
Cruciferous vegetables are a diverse group of vegetables belonging to the family Brassicaceae, also called ‘Cruciferae,’ that are believed to have cancer-preventive properties. Vegetables belonging to this group are radish, arugula, bok choy, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, daikon, and turnips, among the rest. These are rich in isothiocyanates, compounds that reduce inflammation and deactivate cancer-causing chemicals.
Turmeric is yet another plant that is so versatile that it’s found its way not only in the cuisines of many countries, but also in the cosmetic industry, the pharmaceutical industry, and more. Among the rest, turmeric contains protective compounds, including curcumin, and has antioxidant properties that may help the body combat inflammation, ease arthritis, help limit the growth of cancerous cells, protect cells from damage, and reduce the signs of aging.
Mushrooms. A study conducted on 36 thousand participants over several decades showed that incorporating mushrooms in the diet helps reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer. Mushrooms are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, in particular L-ergothioneine, thought to help reduce oxidative stress.
Another study suggests mushrooms may help prevent breast cancer, likely due to compounds like glutathione, ergothioneine, and polysaccharides. Medicinal varieties like reishi, turkey tail, shiitake, and maitake boost antitumor immunity, with turkey tail’s PK polysaccharide aiding cancer therapy.
Onions, shallots, leeks, and garlic are anti-cancer foods said to prevent certain cancers such as colon cancer and other cancers related to the gut.
Wakame is an edible type of seaweed that is believed to suppress the growth of breast cancer, colon cancer, and kidney cancer cells. The research showing these results has been performed in a lab using animals, so its properties on humans are yet to be researched.
Lycopene is a phytochemical or biologically active chemical found in plants. Since it’s not produced within the body, it’s not considered neither a vitamin or mineral.
According to Hope Barkoukis, Ph.D., chair of the department of nutrition at the Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine in Cleveland, OH, lycopene is a potent antioxidant. “This means it can reduce the presence of harmful compounds in your body called free radicals.”
A diet rich in foods that contain lycopene, such as tomatoes and watermelons, may help reduce the risk of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic diseases.
Beta-carotene-rich foods include carrots, sweet potatoes, butternut squash, and other yellow-orange fruits and vegetables.
Their consumption of preventing cancer is yet to be researched further.
Fatty fish Research indicates that other anti-cancer foods include fatty fish like albacore tuna, salmon, herring, mussels, anchovies, and sardines. If consumed weekly, they may help lower cancer risk. This is likely due to their high vitamin D and Omega-3 fatty acids, thought to help prevent disease, including cancer.
*Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult your physician or healthcare provider with any questions about your health or medications. Do not disregard professional advice based on this information.
8 powerful anti-cancer foods you should start including in your diet -
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