Foods that fight cancer are all the rage these days, as individuals hunt for ways to either prevent or combat the disease. Foods having cancer-fighting qualities are still being researched. So, what does a cancer-prevention diet entail?
Some foods can actually help you avoid getting cancer. The following foods, according to the Mayo Clinic, can help prevent cancer.
1. Broccoli.
Isothiocyanate and indole chemicals found in broccoli inhibit cancer-causing agents and delay tumour growth. These chemicals can also be found in cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, cabbage, kale, and collard greens.
2. Cranberries.
Cranberries give a visual punch to the meal as well as good health, thanks to their acidic flavour and deep red colour. They’re high in anthocyanins and flavonols, which can help cells eliminate toxic substances and improve the immune system.
3. Dark Green Leafy Vegetables.
Carotenoids are abundant in dark green leafy vegetables such as spinach, chard, kale, collard greens, romaine lettuce, and other dark green leafy vegetables. In lab tests, these antioxidant molecules have been found to suppress the growth of cancer cells.
4. Garlic.
The allium family of vegetables includes garlic, onions, scallions, chives, and leeks. The antioxidant quercetin, as well as several pungent sulfur-based compounds, are responsible for their cancer-fighting abilities. Garlic and other foods in the allium family may aid in the prevention of stomach and colorectal cancer.
5. Grapes.
Resveratrol is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory substance found mostly in the skins of red and purple grapes. Resveratrol has been demonstrated in animal experiments to prevent cancer and decrease the growth of cancer cells.
6. Tomatoes.
Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, gives tomatoes their red colour. Lycopene appears to protect against prostate and other cancers, according to several studies. The most concentrated sources of lycopene are processed tomato products like tomato paste and tomato juice.
7. Whole Grains.
Whole grains include hundreds of chemicals that are beneficial to one’s health. Whole grains, for example, include fibre that may help prevent colorectal cancer. The saponins and phenols in their leaves may help to reduce the incidence of colon and breast cancer.
8. Green Tea.
According to the National Cancer Institute, tea drinking is linked to a lower incidence of colon, breast, ovarian, prostate, and lung cancer. Green tea, in particular, is known to have a particularly potent effect. It’s high in polyphenols like epigallocatechin gallate and epicatechin gallate, which neutralise free radicals and help protect cells from cancer-causing damage.
9. Kale.
Because it’s another cruciferous vegetable, you know these sturdy leaves have a lot going for them in terms of cancer protection. A single cup of chopped kale has more antioxidants than a day’s worth of vitamins A and C, both of which can scavenge free radicals and prevent them from causing cell damage that could lead to cancer.
10. Chickpeas.
A study of 14 studies indicated that eating garbanzo beans on a regular basis is linked to a decreased risk of colorectal cancer. Beans are high in fibres, which are fermented by healthy bacteria in our bellies and converted into anti-inflammatory short chain fatty acids. These acids are also known to have cancer-fighting properties.
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