9 Best Cancer-Fighting Foods To Put On Your Plate
According to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over 1.6 million Americans are diagnosed with some form of cancer every year. And of those 1.6 million, some 600,000 lose their lives to this horrible disease every year. While these statistics are unsettling, there is some good news worth noting.
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According to a separate study published by the World Health Organization (WHO), an estimated 30 to 50 percent of all cancer cases are preventable. One of the best ways to prevent or, at the very least, reduce your chances of developing certain cancers is by adopting healthy eating habits. Even if you're a picky eater, there are plenty of cancer-fighting foods to choose from, and something is sure to appeal to your tastebuds.
If you subscribe to the notion that you are what you eat, eating the following foods will undoubtedly turn you into a cancer-fighting machine:
- Broccoli - There is a reason why this vegetable, which many of us despised as kids, ranks first on this list of best cancer-fighting foods. Broccoli is rich in a plant compound known as sulforaphane, which according to a study published by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), inhibits breast cancer stem cells. In short, eating more of these delicious vegetables lowers the risk of breast cancer in men and women.
- Carrots - It turns out green vegetables are not the only ones that can help fend off cancer; orange ones are just as beneficial in this regard. That said, if you like carrots, consider piling even more of these delicious orange vegetables on your plate. Carrots are rich in carotenoids, a compound that gives the vegetable its orange color and, more importantly, helps fend off several different cancers, including stomach, lung, skin, and prostate cancer. They also do a pretty good job when it comes to fending off skin and breast cancer as well.
- Berries - For those who favor fruits more so than vegetables, you'll be happy to know that berries can provide a great deal of protection against cancer as well. Studies show that blueberries and raspberries, for example, are rich in antioxidants that help prevent cancer, especially cancer of the esophagus.
- Beans - You might be surprised to learn that eating beans is not only good for your digestive health but also your overall health, especially when it comes to keeping certain cancers at bay. And this is true when it comes to red, black, and navy beans. Essentially, the flavonoids, vitamin B, vitamin E, and fiber found in beans can go a long way toward keeping you regular and lowering your risk of developing stomach and colon cancer.
- Flaxseed - If you're following a plant-based diet, you mind want to add more flaxseeds to your diet as they are an excellent source of healthy fats, antioxidants, and fiber. These properties make flaxseeds, just like berries, a venerable powerhouse in protecting against colon and other cancers that could invade our digestive system. What's more, since they are pretty much tasteless, you can add them to just about anything, including smoothies and oatmeal.
- Garlic - As a member of the lily family, which includes onions, shallots, and leeks, garlic is good for your health in more ways than one. Firstly, it lowers high blood pressure. Second, garlic contains allicin, a powerful compound that helps protect against stomach, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
- Fatty fish - When it comes to food with multiple health benefits, fatty fish certainly fits the bill. For reference, fatty fish includes sardines, salmon, mackerel, bluefin tuna, and many others. Essentially, fatty fish are rich in vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids, both of which can lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol. And this, by the way, is in addition to helping to protect against multiple cancers.
- Tomatoes - Along with adding a pop of color to your salad or dinner plate, the lycopene in tomatoes can help keep cancer at bay and much more. Studies show that the compound lycopene in tomatoes combats cardiovascular disease while, at the same time, protecting against prostate cancer. Bearing that in mind, men should eat as much of this fruit as they can stand to eat.
- Citrus fruits - There are multiple citrus fruits you will want to eat if you're interested in keeping cancer out of your body, some of which include lemons, limes, grapefruits, and oranges. These fruits contain a plurality of ingredients that protect against pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest forms of cancer someone could ever develop. Some of these cancer-fighting ingredients in these fruits include vitamin C, flavonoids, alkaloids, coumarins, carotenoids, limonoids, phenol acids, and even a few essential oils.
Bottom Line
In summary, even though we can stop all cancers from invading our life and body, we can lower the risk and perhaps even avoid some of them entirely by eating healthy. And science has proven this to be true.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.
