The thought of having cancer is devastating, and it is happening to more and more people every single second of every single day. So if you could do something to reduce your risk of ending up with this deadly disease, wouldn’t you?
Not all health problems are avoidable, but you have more control over your health than you may think. Research shows that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet.
What you eat, and don’t eat has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that actually fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you. For example, a daily serving of processed meat increases your risk of colorectal cancer, whereas eating fermented soy products such as soy sauce and tempeh can reduce your risk of breast cancer and eating more colorful food like fruits and vegetables can lower your risk for a variety of common cancers.
By making small changes to your diet and behaviors, you can lower your risk of disease. If you have already been diagnosed, eating a healthy diet can help boost your mood and outlook as well as support your medical or non-medical treatment at this challenging time.
Here are 10 of the best foods to add into your diet if you want to stay away from diseases of all sort!
- Turmeric
In Asia, the health benefits of turmeric are truly legendary. But, in recent years, Western medicine has also started to pay greater attention to this extraordinary spice and healing food that has been used in traditional Asian medicine to treat a vast range of conditions and diseases. Modern research shows that turmeric possesses a wide range of anti-cancer properties that may make it effective against many types of cancer. Turmeric has been found to contain a compound that can identify potential cancer cells by their abnormal chemistry and consequently induce self-destruction of these harmful cells.
- Horseradish
Here is one you may not have heard before, yes! Horseradish contains a substantial amount of glucosinolates, compounds that have been shown to boost the liver’s ability to detoxify carcinogens. In addition, some researchers have found that glucosinolates might also suppress the growth of cancerous tumors. Try adding some to your scrambled eggs, salad, or other vegetable dishes for a nice HEALTHY kick!
- Broccoli
All cruciferous vegetables contain cancer-fighting properties, but broccoli is the only one that with a sizable amount of sulforaphane, a particularly potent compound that boost; the body’s protective enzymes and flushes out cancer-causing chemicals. A recent study done at the University of Michigan study on mice found that sulforaphane also targets cancer stem cells, those that aid in tumor growth.
- Blackberries
All berries are packed with cancer-fighting phytonutrients, but blackberries, in particular, contain very high concentrations of phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which slow down the growth of premalignant cells and keep new blood vessels from forming. Red Raspberries are also a great choice! One of the most interesting compounds in raspberries is ellagic acid which is a natural anti-carcinogen, anti-mutagen, and an inhibitor of cancer. In some cases, it has also been able to cause apoptosis or cell death in cancer cells.
- Garlic
Garlic is one of the best! Studies have shown that those who consume more garlic are less likely to develop cancer than those who ate less of the popular “herb”. When crushed garlic produces allicin, which gives garlic its particular aroma and taste, allicin has been shown to prevent certain types of cancer when consumed regularly.
- Dark Chocolate (In Moderation)
Ahhhh, Dark chocolate, the beauty of the anti-cancer world! A moderate consumption of dark chocolate helps reduce the risk of cancer. The cacao bean, which is the base of all chocolate products, is one of the most antioxidant-rich plants. According to studies, cacao powder contains up to three times the amount of antioxidant flavonoids found in green tea.
- Sweet Potatoes
Sweet Potatoes, one of the oldest vegetables known to man, are highly nutritious and an excellent addition to any anti-cancer diet. The pink, orange, and yellow varieties are one of the most concentrated dietary sources of beta-carotene. In addition, sweet potatoes contain vitamin C as well as unique root proteins which, according to some preliminary studies, have significant antioxidant properties.
- Cherries
Cherries contain perillyl alcohol, which has been found to be effective at destroying a variety of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. When buying cherries, it is wise to choose organically grown whenever possible as conventionally grown cherries often contain high levels of pesticides and other chemical compounds.
- Coffee
“Coffee contains several phytonutrients and compounds that serve as antioxidants, anti-inflammatories and may serve other functions to protect against cancer.” Coffee has been linked to a lowered risk of endometrial, colorectal and liver cancers as well as melanoma. In fact, research from the University of Scranton has ID’ed coffee as the Number 1 source of antioxidants in the average American’s diet.
- Leafy Green Vegetables
Spinach, kale, mustard greens, lettuce, swiss chard, turnip greens and other leafy greens are very good at preventing cancer from striking. Studies have shown that the antioxidants in these vegetable are capable of limiting the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
- Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the greatest health foods of all time and a great anti-cancer food. In a laboratory test conducted by USDA researchers, wild blueberries were shown to have the highest Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity rating of more than 20 fruits and berries. The antioxidant and anti-cancer powers of blueberries can be attributed to a number of remarkable compounds they contain, including ellagic acid, anthocyanins, vitamin E and vitamin C.
Open your mind and your stomach to a more varied; colorful array of foods and you will be amazed at how good you feel. Eat the colors of the rainbow and keep cancer away!