When it comes to preventing cancer, diet can play a major role. Many studies on cancer and nutrition show that a plant-based diet is often best to maintain a healthy body and limit your chances of cancer. It’s important to eat 5-9 servings of fruits and vegetables daily! Here are 6 fruits and veggies that are packed with cancer-fighting agents!
Berries: All berries contain phytonutrients however black raspberries contain a very high amount of phytochemicals called anthocyanins. Anthocyanins work by slowing the growth or premalignant cells. They also prevent new blood vessels from forming and feeding a cancerous tumor. Berries may help to fight colon, oral, skin and esophageal cancer!
Garlic: Garlic contains phytochemicals which have shown to halt the formation of nitrosamines. Nitrosamines are carcinogens which form in the stomach when consuming nitrates, a common food preservative. Add fresh crushed garlic to tomato sauce or to season veggies or meat! Garlic may help lower your chances of breast, colon and stomach cancers.
Tomatoes: Endometrial cancer results in about 8,000 deaths a year. Tomatoes have a red hue due to a carotenoid known as lycopene, which helps to stop endometrial cancer cell growth. Eating tomatoes helps to fight endometrial, lung, stomach and prostate cancer. Its best to cook the tomatoes to allow your body to absorb a greater amount of lycopene.
Broccoli: Broccoli contains a large amount of a potent compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane works by boosting the body’s protective enzymes and flushing out cancer-causing chemicals. The more broccoli the better! Try adding it to pizza, salads or omelettes to fight breast, liver, bladder, prostate and stomach cancer!
Beans: According to a study done at Michigan State University, black and navy beans helped to reduced colon cancer rates in rats. A diet rich in legumes helps to increase the levels of a fatty acid known a butyrate, which has protective effects against cancer.