12 Foods to Help Fight Cancer
Foods That Help Fight And Destroy Cancer
What you eat daily can either affect your health in a good way or a bad way. The food you intake can result in developing chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and different types of cancer. However, what you eat can also help fight those diseases and strengthen the immune system of the body.
Cancer is one of the significant health problems that is affecting millions of people each year. In the United States, one million get cancer each year. There are many reasons for developing cancer. Whether it’s because of poor diet, exposure to toxins extended genetics. or nutrient deficiency, anything can trigger cancer cells in the body.
The only way that could prevent the threat of developing cancer is through nutritious food. Having an everyday meal plan full of cancer-fighting foods can lower the risk of cancer to an extent. Here are lists of things that are proven to reduce the risk of developing cancer if you eat them every day.
1. Apples
The phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is not famous for nothing. Apples are known for having qualities that can improve your health and immune system if you consume them every day. Apple contains a compound known as polyphenols, which have cancer-fighting properties along with tumor-fighting properties. This is a plant-based compound that helps prevent cardiovascular diseases and inflammation as well.
Research has found that polyphenol phloretin a compound found in apples, fights a protein called glucose transporter 2, which is responsible for the advance stage growth of certain kinds of cancer cells. The polyphenol compound eliminates the cancer cell without affecting the normal cell.
2. Berries
You must have noticed that all the diet plans put extra focus on adding berries in everyday meals. The reason is that berries are rich in mineral, dietary fibers, and other nutrients. They have a high level of antioxidant properties, which is beneficial to the human body. Be it raspberries, strawberries, cherries, goji berries, blueberries, blackberries or Camu Camu; the ORAC level is equally high in all of them.
One compound that is significant in berries is an antioxidant called proanthocyanidin. Research has shown that this antioxidant has anti-aging properties and can lower radical damage. Seeds also have a high quantity of lycopene, phenols, lutein, cryptoxanthin, zeaxanthin, and polysaccharides and many other beneficial elements. All of these healthy compounds improve the immune system of the body as well as increase energy.
3. Broccoli
You might not be a big fan of broccoli, but if you look at the benefits of eating broccoli, then you definitely won’t mind eating it. Broccoli contains a high level of sulforaphane, which is one of the potent anti-cancer compounds. A study has shown that sulforaphane can reduce the number of breast cancer cells by up to 75%.
Another animal study showed that treating mice with sulforaphane reduce the tumor volume as well as killing the prostate cancer cells. Similarly, many more researchers have also proved that eating cruciferous vegetables like broccoli reduces the risk of colorectal cancer.
4. Carrots
Carrots contain several healthy nutrients, including minerals like vitamin A, vitamin K, and other antioxidants. Studies have shown that eating carrots on a daily basis can lower the risk of certain types of cancer. Another study showed that the odds of developing prostate cancer could be lower up to 18% if your carrot intake is high.
There was another study done on 1266 participants, half of them had lung cancer, and the other half didn’t. The results showed that smokers, not eating carrots at all were three times more likely at risk of developing lung cancer, compared to the smokers who ate carrots at least twice a week.
5. Leafy green vegetables
Leafy greens are the soul of a healthy diet because they are rich with minerals, antioxidants, enzymes, and vitamins. Doctors and nutritionists emphasize eating as many green vegetables as you can. They have so many beneficial components; they are low in fat, sodium, calories, and low in other toxin materials.
All kinds of leafy green vegetables including, kale, spinach, watercress, romaine, collard greens are rich with antioxidants that help in fighting cancer cells. Moreover, due to the presence of glucosinolates, the greens contain antiviral and antibacterial properties that help kills the reprogrammed cancer cell and prevent tumor formation.
Not just that, Isothiocyanates found in green vegetables cleanses the body of toxin material, at a cellular level. You can either make smoothies or consume leafy greens in food, either way; you’ll get amazing benefits.
6. Walnuts
Walnuts are known to be more potent than other nuts when it comes to fighting off the cancer cells. Walnuts contain an element called pedunculagin. When eaten, our body turns it to urolithins. Urolithins play an essential role in binding estrogen receptors; hence, they might be able to prevent breast cancer.
7. Fatty fish
Fatty fish are those fish that are rich in fatty acids, especially omega-3, potassium, and vitamin B. The list of fish rich in fatty acid includes mackerel, salmon, and anchovies. Eating fish twice a week lowers the risk of heart disease, but it also reduces the risk of colorectal cancer up to 53 percent.
Studies have also shown that consuming fish oil can be beneficial in fighting prostate cancer. Another study showed that eating fish oil supplements four times a week helps reduce the risk of colon cancer.
8. Beans
Fiber can help protect the body of colorectal cancer. and beans are known to be rich in fiber. A study was done on 1905 people who had a colorectal tumor in the past. The study found that those who ate more dried or cooked beans had a lower risk of tumor recurrence.
Another study showed that feeding rats black and navy beans resulted in blockage of developing colon cancer cells up to 75%.
9. Legumes
Legumes, just like other beans, are high in fiber. A study has shown that higher consumption of legumes resulted in a lower risk of colorectal cancer. Another study conducted on whether a higher intake of bean fiber lowers the risk of breast cancer. It showed that people who consume more bean fiber are 20 percent less likely to develop breast cancer.
10. Fresh Herbs and Spices
Turmeric, cinnamon and other spices are known to have major anti-cancer compounds. For example, turmeric contains an active ingredient called curcumin. That is one of the most potent anticancer agents because it has proved to reduce the size of the tumor and fights colon and breast cancer cells.
Moreover, herbs like garlic, ginger, cayenne pepper, thyme, parsley, and basil are well known for boosting the immune system. Adding these herbs and spices into the food can boost up the effect and lower the risk of major diseases.
11. Nuts
Eating nuts have numerous health benefits, but the major one is that it can lower the risk of developing certain types of cancer. A study was conducted where 19,386 people’s diet was kept in check. It showed that eating a higher amount of nuts reduces the risk of dying from cancer.
Another study followed the life routine of 30,708 people for up to 30 years, and the results showed that eating nuts every day reduces the risk of colorectal, endometrial, and pancreatic cancer.
12. Citrus fruits
Citrus fruits list include lemon, orange, grapefruit, and limes. All these fruits are rich in minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants. In the list of numerous health benefits of consuming citric fruits, one more thing can be added, and that is that citrus fruits reduce the risk of cancer. A study showed that eating a higher amount of citrus fruits lowered the risk of upper respiratory tract cancer and other digestive cancer.
The review of nine studies showed that regular consumption of citrus fruits also eliminates pancreatic cancer cells to some extent. Moreover, if you intake three servings of citric fruits per week, then you are 28% less likely to develop stomach cancer.
There are many other food items, including dairy products, organic meals, and unrefined oils that can also help reduce the risk of cancer. If you combine most of the items together then it will surely boost up the process of killing cancer cells. Remember how you consume your food also determines how much the food will be beneficial for you.
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