Diets rich in fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of some types of cancer and chronic diseases. And, while it is true that all plant foods provide vitamins, minerals, and enzymes important for good health, a few stand ahead of the pack for their cancer-fighting abilities. Here are the top 10 anti-cancer foods:
1. Tomatoes:
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a red pigment (carotenoid) that gives the tomato its color. Cooked tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that neutralizes cancer-causing free radicals.But a word of caution, you won’t get a lot of lycopene from a ketchup bottle. If you can, choose to eat the real thing.
Tomatoes contain lycopene, a red pigment (carotenoid) that gives the tomato its color. Cooked tomatoes are a great source of lycopene, an antioxidant that neutralizes cancer-causing free radicals.But a word of caution, you won’t get a lot of lycopene from a ketchup bottle. If you can, choose to eat the real thing.
2. Broccoli:
Broccoli, a super food rich in antioxidants, may decrease the risk of colon, stomach or breast cancer by helping produce enzymes that fight free radicals and carcinogens.
Broccoli, a super food rich in antioxidants, may decrease the risk of colon, stomach or breast cancer by helping produce enzymes that fight free radicals and carcinogens.
3. Red Grapes:
Red wine will never make this list! Alcohol is linked with several cancers and can make existing cancer worse. It’s not considered cancer-fighting. But, interestingly enough, red wine is made from red grapes that are very healthy. Red grapes, in fact, contain resveratrol, a phytochemical with anti-aging and cardiovascular health benefits that was described in a recent article as “an effective antioxidant that protects against free radical damage that is linked to many types of diseases.”
Red wine will never make this list! Alcohol is linked with several cancers and can make existing cancer worse. It’s not considered cancer-fighting. But, interestingly enough, red wine is made from red grapes that are very healthy. Red grapes, in fact, contain resveratrol, a phytochemical with anti-aging and cardiovascular health benefits that was described in a recent article as “an effective antioxidant that protects against free radical damage that is linked to many types of diseases.”
4. Green Leafy Vegetables, Kale and Spinach:
Dark green leafy vegetables have lutein, an antioxidant that has been studied for cancer. Lutein belongs to a class of phytochemicals called carotenoids. Spinach is good, but kale has even more lutein in it. Generally speaking, raw-vegetable salads are great but cooked spinach is also great because the fat-soluble carotenoid lutein is not destroyed with cooking.
Dark green leafy vegetables have lutein, an antioxidant that has been studied for cancer. Lutein belongs to a class of phytochemicals called carotenoids. Spinach is good, but kale has even more lutein in it. Generally speaking, raw-vegetable salads are great but cooked spinach is also great because the fat-soluble carotenoid lutein is not destroyed with cooking.
5. Garlic:
Garlic may just be one of the most healthiest foods. It contains many different beneficial phytochemicals. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research says, “In laboratory studies, components of garlic have shown the ability to slow or stop the growth of tumors in prostate, bladder, colon and stomach tissue.”
Garlic may just be one of the most healthiest foods. It contains many different beneficial phytochemicals. In fact, the American Institute for Cancer Research says, “In laboratory studies, components of garlic have shown the ability to slow or stop the growth of tumors in prostate, bladder, colon and stomach tissue.”
6. Green Tea:
Green tea is highly recommended for cancer prevention due to the great phytochemicals. Green tea, the real stuff: pure green tea found in the Asian markets contains catechins, a type of flavonoid. EGCG is a type of catechin with remarkable anti-cancer effects.
Green tea is highly recommended for cancer prevention due to the great phytochemicals. Green tea, the real stuff: pure green tea found in the Asian markets contains catechins, a type of flavonoid. EGCG is a type of catechin with remarkable anti-cancer effects.
7. Mushrooms:
There are a number of mushrooms that appear to help the body fight cancer and build the immune system. The Agaricus blazei Murrill mushroom from Brazil—also known as “the mushroom of God”—is supposed to be the best. If you can’t get your hands on one of those, shiitake mushrooms are also supposed to be cancer-fighting.
8. Fruits:
Cancer patients should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables; 30% of all cancers could be prevented with the right diet.
Cancer patients should eat a variety of fruits and vegetables; 30% of all cancers could be prevented with the right diet.
Açai, pomegranate, raspberries, blueberries and citrus fruits like oranges, grapefruits, lemons and limes are well-known for anti-cancer benefits and contain lots of antioxidants and phytochemicals. Blueberries and pomegranates contain ellagic acid, a well-known phytochemical with anti-cancer properties.
9. Yogurt :
A wonderful article on super foods states the following: “Scientists have found that the active culture of bacteria in yogurt, which is called lactobacillus, actually helps to fortify the immune system.” Plus, yogurt is a good source of calcium that may also be cancer preventive.
10. More Omega-3 Fish & Less Red Meat and Fried Foods:
Eating more vegetarian meals (vegetables and fruits) and less fat is just so cancer preventive! However, omega-3 fats have been shown to have anti-cancer benefits. Vegetable oils and animal fat tend to promote cancer, whereas fish oils and olive oils have anti-cancer effects. Additionally, the American Cancer Society suggests limiting red meat and processed meats, and eating five fruits or vegetables a day.
11.Whole Wheat:
In a recent study at the University of Iowa, scientist found that the more whole grain there is in a woman's diet, the lower her risk of breast cancer, as well as heart disease. In this study, as well as an analysis of 40 other studies on 20 kinds of cancer, investigators established that consumers of whole wheat products (bread, pasta, cereals) have a 33% lower risk of these diseases than those who do not eat whole wheat products.
12.Beans:
Much recent research in the food sciences has established that all kinds of beans are loaded with protease inhibitors, compounds that make it hard for cancer cells to invade adjacent tissue. Fava beans contain much herein, which has shown to block carcinogens in the digestive tract. And soy beans are especially rich in isoflavones, which appears to reduce the risk of breast cancer by blocking the tumor-growing influence of estrogen. Lentils also belong to the bean family, and are one of the tastiest, most versatile, and easiest to prepare beans.
13.Red Cabbage, Red Beets:
All cabbages - including their kin broccoli, cauliflower, kale, brussel sprouts bok choy, and so forth - are not only rich in calcium, but recent research has shown that they are also extremely rich in anti-cancer flavenoids, the source of the purple colour of the red cabbages. But the red cabbage tops them all; it is the richest source of flavenoids among all vegetables, besides red beets, of course. Red beets have so much of these flavenoidsflavenoids in red beets.
14.Oranges:
Already well known for their high vitamin C content, much recent research in the food sciences has shown that oranges are also rich in many other potent anti-cancer compounds. Investigators have now found that oranges contain more than 170 photochemicals, including more than 20 from the potent carotenoid family alone. In addition, compounds called limonoids - which give citrus fruit their slightly bitter taste - appear to be highly active anti-cancer agents as well. Regular consumption of oranges is associated with significantly lower lung and stomach cancers.
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