A cancer diagnosis is devastating. You are left wondering what went wrong. The truth is cancer can hit anyone at any point in time. Scientists are still unsure why exactly it happens. But there is still some hope in prevention, and it all comes down to your lifestyle. The journey to prevent and kill cancer starts right from what you eat daily. Find below the foods that help prevent cancer.
Broccoli
Learn to love broccoli, the powerhouse of phytochemicals. We often miss how good this green vegetable is for our health. Broccoli belongs to the cabbage family. It’s large flowery head, stalk and small leaves are all edible. You can eat broccoli either raw or cooked. Broccoli has an important phytochemical compound called sulforaphane. Sulforaphane has anti-cancer properties that can potentially reduce breast cancer cells by as much as 75%. If you include broccoli in your regular diet, you will also have a lesser risk of colorectal or colon cancer. Keep in mind that deep frying or cooking at a high temperature would kill most of the nutrients this vegetable has to offer. The best way to eat broccoli is to either steam it or sauté it lightly.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon laced desserts can make anyone’s mouth water. The best thing about it is it’s remarkable health benefits. Cinnamon is a popular spice used in several cuisines, from breakfast foods to desserts. It has been a part of traditional medicine for hundreds of years. This spice helps lower blood pressure, reduce inflammation and has potent anti-tumor properties that block cancer cells from spreading. Be careful with how much cinnamon you eat every day. Although it has incredible health benefits, too much can cause liver damage, mouth sores and respiratory issues.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain a compound called lycopene, which helps give them their red color. More importantly, lycopene also has properties that can help reduce cancer risk. As it is a potent antioxidant, those who eat tomatoes daily, cooked or raw, will have a much lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Cooked tomatoes contain the most lycopene. This is because, when tomatoes are processed, heat helps break down cellular walls and gives your body access to more of this antioxidant.
Fish
Fatty fish like salmon should be part of your diet because they contain Omega 3 fatty acids. A few servings of fatty fish in your diet a week can lower your chances of developing cancer. Also, fatty fish is one of the few foods high in vitamin D. Two servings a week will help maximize all the nutritional benefits of fatty fish.
Carrots
Carrots have several healthy properties and can improve your eye health. Regularly eating carrots can also help you reduce the chances of developing various cancers. For instance, carrots reduce your risk of developing stomach cancer by 25% and prostate cancer by 18%. This makes carrots one of the important foods that help prevent cancer. Carrots can be eaten raw or cooked. You will reap the benefits when eating enough quantity every week.
Nuts
Eating nuts not only reduces your risk of dying from cancer, but also lowers risk of developing pancreatic cancer. Brazil nuts, for instance, are packed with a compound called selenium. Selenium helps protect you from developing lung cancer. Walnuts effectively prevent cancer from spreading by reducing the growth of breast cancer cells by 80%. Therefore, one of the important foods that help prevent cancer is nuts.
Flaxseeds
Flaxseeds should be a part of your diet, regardless of whether you are thinking about preventing cancer. They are high in fiber as well as heart healthy fats. Various studies have shown the effectiveness of flaxseeds in stopping the spread and lessening the growth of cancer cells. Even the fiber that is present in flaxseeds helps in protecting you from colorectal cancer.
Turmeric
Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric, which is a potent antioxidant. Curcumin can help prevent colon cancer by 40%. It is does this by targeting a particular enzyme that is responsible for cancer growth in the colon. It is also effective in preventing the development of lung and breast cancer cells. You should have around one to three grams of ground turmeric daily. You can add it as a spice to your recipes.