Anti-Cancer Diet

Anything we eat affect many aspects of our health, including the risk of  chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

 

The development of cancer, in our body, has been shown to be heavily influenced by your diet. Many foods contain beneficial ingredients which can help to decrease the growth of cancer. Studies show that a higher intake of certain foods could be associated with a lower risk of the disease.

Here are sum suggested foods that may lower your risk of cancer.

Broccoli

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a vegetable that may have anticancer properties.

Studies showed that sulforaphane in Broccoli can reduced the risk of breast cancer cells up to 75% to 80%. Sulforaphane in Broccoli also helped to kill off prostate cancer cells and reduced tumor volume by more than 45%

Studies have also showed that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables just like broccoli may be linked to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

But it is also noted that research has not looked directly at how broccoli may affect cancer in humans.

Carrots

Many studies have found that eating carrot in diet is linked to a decreased risk of many types of cancer. Eating carrots may reduce the risk of stomach cancer by up to 25%. Higher intake of carrots can reduce the risk of prostae cance up to 20%.

One study analyzed that intakes of carrot is also helped to reduce the risk of  lung cancer. Smokers who did not eat carrots are three times more risky to develop lung cancer as compared to those who ate carrots more than once per week.

Use of carrots in our diet as a healthy snack or delicious side dish just a few times per week to increase our intake and potentially reduce the risk of cancer.

Beans

Beans are associated with high in fiber, some studies have found may help protect against colorectal cancer.

Studies found that those who consumed more cooked or dried beans tended to have a decreased risk of tumor recurrence.

As per an animal study feeding rats black beans or navy beans and then inducing colon cancer blocked the development of cancer cells by up to 75%.

According to these results, eating of beans each week may increase our fiber intake and help decrease the risk of developing cancer.

Berries

Berries contain high anthocyanins, plant pigments that have antioxidant properties and may be associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

In one human study, 25 people with colorectal cancer were treated with bilberry extract for seven days, which was found to reduce the growth of cancer cells by 8%.

A small study shows that use of freeze-dried black raspberries to patients with oral cancer and showed that it decreased levels of certain markers associated with cancer progression.

An animal study also showed that giving rats freeze-dried black raspberries can reduce esophageal tumor incidence by up to 56% and decreased the number of tumors by up to 64%.

Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well-known for health benefits, including its ability to reduce blood sugar and ease inflammation.

Some test-tube and animal studies have also found that cinnamon may help to reduce the risk of the spread of cancer cells.

A test-tube study found that cinnamon is able to decrease the spread of cancer cells and induce their death.

Another test-tube study showed that cinnamon oil suppressed the growth of head and neck cancer cells, and also significantly reduced tumor size.

An animal study also showed that cinnamon extract induced cell death in tumor cells, and also decreased how much tumors grew and spread.

Including half or 1 teaspoon (2–4 grams) of cinnamon in our diet per day may be beneficial in cancer prevention, and may come with other benefits as well, such as reduced blood sugar and decreased inflammation in body.

Nuts

Research has found that eating nuts may lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

For instance, a study looked at the diets of 19,385 people and found that eating of nuts is associated with a decreased risk of cancer.

Another study followed 30,705 participants for up to 30 years and found that eating nuts regularly is associated with a decreased risk of colorectal, pancreatic and endometrial cancers.

As per few studies specific types of nuts may be linked to a lower cancer risk.

Example, Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which may help to protect against lung cancer in those with a low selenium status.

These results suggest that adding nuts in our diet each day may reduce your risk of developing cancer in the future.

Olive Oil

Olive oil is associated with health benefits. Many studies have found that a higher intake of olive oil may help to protect against cancer.

People who consumed the greatest amount of olive oil had a lower risk of developing breast cancer and cancer of the digestive system.

As per the cancer rates in 28 countries around of the world found that areas with a higher intake of olive oil had decreased rates of colorectal cancer.

Swapping out other oils in our diet for olive oil is a way to take advantage of its health benefits. We can use it over salads and cooked vegetables, fish or poultry.

Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice well-known for its health-beneficial properties. Curcumin is its active ingredient, a chemical with anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and even anti-cancer effects.
A study (effects of curcumin) on 44 patients with lesions in the colon that could have become cancerous. After 30 days, 4 grams of curcumin daily reduced the number of lesions present by 42%.

Curcumin is also help to decrease the risk of colon cancer cells by targeting a specific enzyme related to cancer growth. 

Curcumin is also be effective in slowing the growth of lung, breast and prostate cancer cells in other test-tube studies.

For the best results, aim for at least 1,2–3 teaspoons (1–3 grams) of ground turmeric per day. Use of it as a spice to add flavor in foods, and pair with black pepper to help boost its absorption.

Citrus Fruits

Eating citrus fruits such as lemons, limes, grapefruits and oranges is h a lower risk of cancer in some studies.

A study found that people who ate a higher amount of citrus fruits had a lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts.

A review at nine studies also found that a greater intake of citrus fruits is linked to a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer.

And a review of 14 studies showed that a high intake, or at least three servings per week, of citrus fruit reduced the risk of stomach cancer by 30%.

These all studies suggest that including citrus fruits in our food each week may lower our risk of developing certain types of cancer.

Studies are also needed to how citrus fruits specifically affect cancer development and reduce the risk of cancer in our body.

Flax-seed

Flax-seed is high in fiber as well as heart-healthy fats, flax-seed can be a healthy addition to our diet.

Some research has shown that it may even help to decrease cancer growth and help kill off cancer cells.

In one study, 34 women with breast cancer received either a flax-seed muffin daily or a placebo for over a month.

At the end of the study, the flax-seed group had decreased levels of specific markers that measure tumor growth, as well as an increase in cancer cell death.

In another study, 160 men with prostate cancer were treated with flax-seed, which was found to reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes is filled with lycopene that is responsible for its vibrant red color as well as its anticancer properties.

Studies have suggested that an increase in intake of lycopene and tomatoes could reduced risk of prostate cancer.

And studies also found that a higher intake of raw tomatoes, cooked tomatoes and lycopene were all associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Another study of 47,364 people found that a higher intake of tomato sauce, in particular, was linked to a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

To increase our tomatoe intake, include a serving or two of tomatoes in our diet each day by adding them to sandwiches, salads, sauces or pasta dishes.

Garlic

Garlic contains allicin, a compound that has been shown to kill off cancer cells in multiple test-tube studies.

Several studies have found that garlic intakes in our food can lower the risk of certain types of cancer.

One study of 543,225 people found that people who ate lots of Allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions, leeks and shallots, had a lower risk of stomach cancer than those who rarely consumed them.

A study of 470 men showed that a higher intake of garlic was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

Another study suggest that those who ate lots of garlic, as well as fruit, deep yellow vegetables, dark green vegetables and onions, were less likely to develop colorectal tumors.

Based on these findings, including 2–5 grams of fresh garlic into our diet per day can help us to take advantage of its health-promoting properties.

Fatty Fish

Some reviews suggest that including a few intakes of fish or fish oil in our diet each week may reduce the risk of cancer.

Studies also showed found that a higher intake of fish is associated with a lower risk of digestive cancer.

Another study of 478,045 adults found that eating more fish decreased the risk of developing colorectal cancer, while red and processed meats actually increased the risk.

A fatty fish like salmon, mackerel and anchovies contain important nutrients such as vitamin D and omega-3 fatty acids that may be linked to reduce the risk of cancer.

Tea

Tea, especially green tea, is a strong cancer fighter. As per studies, green tea has slowed or prevented the development of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells. It may be similar effect in lung tissue and skin.

And in some studies, tea is associated with lower risks for bladder, stomach, and pancreatic cancers.

But more research is required in humans is required before tea can be recommended as a cancer fighter.