5 Good Cancer-Fighting Foods

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What you eat has a lot to do with your risk for cancer. According to a report underwritten by the American Institute for Cancer Research, as many as 4-in-10 cancers are directly linked to dietary choices. That report – Food, Nutrition, and the Prevention of Cancer: A Global Perspective – opened my eyes and led me to search out the foods that fight the formation of cancer and other scary diseases. Here are 5 good cancer-fighting foods; find a way to fit them into your regular diet. 1. Tomatoes have long been known to provide many health benefits. They are also thought to play a key role in the prevention of many forms of cancers. One of the most important benefits of the tomato is the fact that it contains lycopene, a substance with strong antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are thought to interfere with the cell damage that can be caused by free radicals. Free radicals – a natural part of the aging process –have been implicated in a number of different types of cancer. 2. Blueberries are another fruit rich in cancer-fighting antioxidants. Blue and purple fruits, in general, are thought to lower your risk of developing cancers. They are also thought to improve memory function, promote a healthy urinary tract and even ease the effects of aging. Blueberries contain many healthy phytochemicals and phenolics, substances which are currently being studied for their anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits. 3. Spinach is one of the most nutrient-dense foods available anywhere. It’s a rich source of both vitamin C and beta carotene, both of which are known to be powerful antioxidants. Again, studies have shown that antioxidants play a pivotal role in cancer prevention. Studies have also shown that people who eat two or more servings of spinach per week have considerably lower levels of breast and lung cancer. 4. Flax contains lignans and lignans may not only have an antioxidant effect but also the ability to block or suppress cancerous changes. Flax is also high in omega-3 fatty acids, substances thought to protect against colon cancer and heart disease. Make sure to eat ground flax seed to better absorb the benefits. 5. Red grapes contain bioflavonoids, powerful antioxidants that work as cancer preventives. Grapes are also a rich source of resveratrol, which inhibits the enzymes that can stimulate cancer-cell growth and suppress immune response. And that’s good news for wine lovers, since resveratrol is found in red wine. For best results eat up to nine servings of fruits and vegetables daily. The American Cancer Society says a diet heavy in fruits and veggies can cut your cancer risk in half.


Author: John McGran

Archived posts 2009

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