There is no single food that can completely prevent cancer by itself. However, an overall healthy diet that includes foods that exhibit cancer-fighting properties such as vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans and other plant foods can help lower risk of developing cancer.
We at SOL have put together a selection of foods that contain naturally occurring compounds that have potent anticancer properties consisting of phytochemicals and antioxidant that may help reduce your cancer risk.
Broccoli & cruciferous vegetables
At some point in our younger years, we have all had our mother’s try to make us finish up our broccoli or other green vegetables before we were allowed to leave the dinner table. Well, it turns out that she was right all along (what else is new?). Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, contain beneficial nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. Studies have shown that cruciferous vegetables contain sulforaphane, which could obstruct the development and progression of cancer. Broccoli and cruciferous vegetables are most protective against cancers of the prostate, lung, colon, breast, bladder, liver, neck, head, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Garlic & allium vegetables
It’s no surprise that many of us don’t eat garlic. Garlic breath is an embarrassing thing to have when you’re out in public. Whoever would’ve thought that the same sulfur compounds causing that odor may also stop cancer-causing substances from forming in your body, speed DNA repair, and kill cancer cells. This goes for other allium vegetables as well such as onions. Research showed that garlic and onions impede the development of nitrosamines, powerful carcinogens that focus on several sites in the body, usually the colon, liver, and breasts. Indeed, the more pungent the garlic or onion, the more abundant the chemically active sulfur compounds that prevent cancer.
Oranges & citrus fruits
Citrus fruits are favored for their sweet taste, vibrant color, and stellar nutrient profile, they are also the predominant source of vitamin C. Just one medium orange can meet and exceed your daily needs for vitamin C. Citrus fruits also play host to other essential nutrients including calcium, potassium, folate, thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, copper, phosphorus and magnesium. Many of the nutrients found in citrus fruit support the immune system and play a role in determining whether a cancer will grow and spread. Vitamin C plays a key role in strengthening the immune system, reducing the growth and spread of cancer cells as well as boost the absorption of iron from foods which helps protect against anaemia, a common side effect of chemotherapy.
Tomatoes
Recent studies have indicated that tomatoes are a potential weapon against prostate cancer. While the red color of the tomato makes it juicy, ripe and hard to resist, what you may not realize is that the red hue of the tomato comes from a phytochemical called lycopene, which is a cancer-fighting property associated with the protection against certain types of cancers such as prostate cancer.
Berries
Berries are not just some of the most delicious fruits around but they are also outstanding when it comes to assisting the body to fight diseases. Recent studies point out the various protection provided by consuming berries such as, preserving memory and preventing heart disease as well as slowing the growth of cancer cells. Strawberries and raspberries are rich in vitamin C and ellagic acid. Tests indicate that ellagic acid seems to contain anticancer properties that help prevent cancers of prevent cancers of the skin, bladder, lung, esophagus and breast. Aside from that, blueberries in particular are packed with antioxidants which reduce inflammation. Who knew some of the smallest fruits, are packed with all vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers to protect against so many afflictions?