Top 10 Anti-Cancer Foods to Include in Your Diet

What are top anti-cancer foods of foods that fight cancer? Cancer is also known as malignancy. It is characterized by cells growing abnormally. Around 100 kinds of cancer exist. Various treatments of cancer include; Surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation. Different studies have been carried out for over 50 years with fewer conclusive treatments or solutions have been discovered that are effective. Approximately 3,400 patients are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States.

A diet that can help prevent cancer is therefore very crucial in the control health related hazards of this deadly disease. The American Cancer Society advises, for instance, the intake of five servings of vegetables and fruits each day and eats the right portions of food in order to live healthy. If you would like to know the type of food you can give to a cancer patient then worry no more, as there are a variety of foods you can include in their diet. Research institutions are finding that some foods may be very much helpful in keeping us safe from cancer.

A variety of foods that are rich in sulphur for example; Cauliflower, onions, cabbage, garlic, broccoli and leeks have been found to prevent human beings from getting cancer. This is because these foods contain properties that can fight cancer. Therefore, make it a routine to eat the following foods that can help fight cancer.

10. Garlic

Garlic is a vegetable that belonging to the class Allium which includes all plants that have a bulb shape. These plants includes; Onions, leeks, chives, garlic and scallions. Garlic is unique for its high sulphur concentrations and it is used for flavoring foods. It also has nutrients such as; Flavonoids, selenium, arginine and oligosaccharides that have several benefits to our health. For instant, research has shown that reasonable amounts of garlic consumed everyday can reduce the risk of getting certain cancers of the ovaries, colon, stomach, pancreas, esophagus and breast. Also, population studies have shown that high consumption of cooked and raw garlic reduces the risk of colon and stomach cancer.


9. Broccoli
Broccoli is another plant that can help minimize the possibility of getting cancer. It contains several nutrients such as vitamins A and C, calcium, fiber and folic acid. The calcium content of broccoli not only builds strong bones but research has shown that it is also responsible for managing high blood pressure. Broccoli also contains two phytochemicals that are very crucial to our health. These chemicals are; Isothiocyanates and indoles. These enzymes increase the activity of various enzymes in our body that are known to suppress agents that cause cancer. Health organizations recommend the intake of broccoli several times per week and they are linked to low rates of cancer. Besides having ant-cancer properties, it also has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-detoxification properties.



8. Beans

Beans belong to the group of vegetables called legumes and also include pulses and lentils. Most of the health benefits acquired from eating beans extend to the entire team. They are very easy to include in our diet. As, they are one of the most important super foods. They are full of nutrients. Studies conducted recently are showing that consumption of beans, mainly black beans, can reduce the risk and occurrence of various types of cancer such as liver, colon, breast and prostate cancer.

Dry beans are very rich in fiber and proteins as well as extremely good sources of vitamin B and foliate. Research conducted from 41 countries has revealed that consumption of beans reduces the number of deaths caused by prostate cancer, breast cancer and colon cancer among others.

Although the precise methods of cancer prevention is not known, it is believed that the phytochemicals of beans as well as flavonoids , tannins, triterpenes , phytic acid, and phytosterols could be responsible for the fight against cancer. Including beans in our diet once in a while is therefore vital.



7. Turmeric
Turmeric is widely used in India for cooking because of its flavor and the yellow color that makes food look appealing. It is also used to make mustard and to add color to cheese and butter. Turmeric has been used for the treatment of various health conditions for over 4,000. Studies reveal that turmeric may be useful against multiple infections and certain types of cancers, treat problems of the digestive system and reduce inflammation.

China and Ayurvedic consider turmeric as a medicine that is used to treat inflammation, liver and digestive problems, wounds and skin diseases. Today various research organizations are carrying out a detailed examination of the very many advantages of turmeric, and its fantastic future in the fight against cancer; It’s prevention and treatment.



6. Grapes
Grapes have natural chemicals that are capable of stopping cancer cells from spreading. Red grapes unlike white and green grapes contain more powerful properties that can prevent cancer. They contain polyphenols, pterostilbene, lupeol and oleanolic acid that have chemo-preventative properties. On-going research on grapes suggests that consuming grapes is better than taking supplements as the components which are bioactive in the grapes will enter the bloodstream and move to other regions of the body. Although enough research has not yet been done on grapes. Scientists are claiming that they have properties that can protect against cancer.



5. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are the primary source of lycopene which is an antioxidant that makes tomatoes red. It is also known to protect cells and the DNA from being damaged. Approximately 10,000 deaths occur every year in the UK due to prostate cancer with around 35000 cases of new infection. Studies have revealed that men who have a high intake of tomatoes are less likely to get prostate cancer.

However, research encourages individuals to eat a well-balanced diet that is high in vegetables and fruits and very low in salt, fat, red meat and processed meat.

4. Green Tea
Green tea is said to be very beneficial to our health because it contains nutrients and antioxidants; That have very influential effects to our body. It not only improves the functioning of the brain but it also helps in weight loss and reduces the risk of certain types of cancer, such as; Prostate cancer, breast cancer, and colorectal cancer. Research also highly advises people not to put milk in their tea as this could decrease the value of the antioxidants.


3. Bok Choy
It is a cruciferous vegetable, and it is a staple food in Asia. It belongs to the Genus Brassica, and it’s juicy and tasty stalks. Its leaves are very popular in the western world. it is rich in vitamins C and A, minerals, vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants. Antioxidants such as indole-3-carbinol, thiocyanates, zeaxanthin, isothiocyanates, and sulforaphane. In addition to vitamins and fiber have been found to prevent certain cancers of the colon, prostate, and breast. Besides cancer prevention, they also help to reduce the level of LDL in the blood.



2. Cauliflower

This is yet another cruciferous vegetable that we need to incorporate in our diet regularly. Because it has a wide variety of nutrients for example; Photochemical, minerals, vitamins and antioxidants. It also contains sulforaphane, a compound of sulphur that is believed to destroy cancer stem cells. Hence tumor cells take too long to grow. Some scientists believe that getting rid of these cancer stem cells could greatly aid in controlling this disease. Studies have shown that combining cauliflower may help treat and prevent prostate and breast cancer. Isothiocyanates and indoles found in cauliflower stop the development of cancer. The research has done on mice and rats, in various organs such as the colon, breast and the stomach.



1. Brussels Sprout

Brussels sprouts is a tiny cabbage, and it is very beneficial to our health. It contains antioxidants that assist in fighting various types of cancer and heart-related ailments. It also greatly helps the digestion system among many other benefits. The protein content in Brussels is also quite high compared to that of other vegetables. Four glucosinates; Glucobrassicin, gluconasturtiin, sinigrin and glucoraphanin in Brussels are responsible for helping to prevent cancer. However, this is only possible in unique additions. Indoles also assist in stimulating the production of various enzymes that are known to eliminate toxins that cause cancer. Brussels is of particular importance in preventing cancers of the prostate, breast and the colon.

Eating fruits and vegetables is therefore critical to our health. And it is highly advisable, not to eat processed foods as much as some of them and especially sugars help the cancer cells to grow and spread rapidly. Eating these foods together and exercising regularly will greatly help saves many lives in future.




Written By; Susan Wanjiku

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