We have all heard it. Many cancers are preventable by the way we live our lives. In fact, one in three cancers can be avoided by eating a healthy diet, losing weight if we’re too heavy and exercising.
Most of us know what a healthy diet is, but I have discovered that a surprising number of people do not. Simply eating less will not maintain good health and weight.
There are a dozen foods that are especially good for preventing cancer. If we all eat (or drink) more of these, we’ll be going a long way towards preserving our good health.
Some studies say that milk and other dairy products contain calcium that may neutralize potential carcinogens, especially those found in processed meats.
Here is where that Bad Breath comes in… Garlic and Onions contain compounds that cause the strong flavor and “fragrance.” Those same compounds may neutralize carcinogenic substances and even help repair damaged DNA. The vegetables included in the Allium genus, like garlic and onions, appear to be especially effective against cancers in the digestive track (esophagus, colon, etc.).
Red Grapes (and red wine) contain resveratrol that deters cancer cell growth and even causes them to self-destruct. Resveratrol is also found n peanuts, cranberries and blueberries.
There are flavonoids and phenolic acids are in Apples, and they may stop cancer cells from dividing further. Citrus fruits and berries also contain these acids.
There are antioxidants in Coffee that research shows may be effective against endometrial cancer’ and Green Tea may prevent prostate cancer.
Studies on Curry have shown that curcumin (the main ingredient in turmeric) fights against the changes in healthy cells from cancerous changes. It also slows the growth of malignant cells. There is a possibility that it also may prevent brain tumors.
A recent Harvard study indicated that about a handful of nuts daily may prevent death from both heart disease and cancer. Beans and Lentils have fiber and phytochemicals, antioxidants and folate that protect colon cells from possible development of colon cancer. A couple ounces of nuts daily can also lower bad ch9olesterol by as much as 7+ percent. Soybeans carry a powerful compound, genistein that is being researched as possible treatment for prostate, colorectal and prostate cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables, like broccoli, are loaded with sulforaphane, a potent cancer fighting substance. Other vegetables that are dark and leafy (kale, spinach, romaine, etc.) contain carotenoids, powerful antioxidants which studies have shown inhibit the grown of cancer cells, including lungs, skin, stomach and certain breast cancers.
The antioxidant lycopene in Tomatoes may stop malignant cells from multiplying, thus blocking cancer. It is interesting to note that our bodies use the lycopene in cooked tomatoes more readily than raw ones.
Finally, Whole Grains, highly recommended by nutritionists, appear to lower the risk of colorectal cancer. Doctors recommend that we eat three to five servings of whole grains daily to protect against cancer in addition to heart disease and type 2 diabetes.
Those who are vegetarians will easily adapt to a diet that includes these powerful cancer-fighting substances, but meat eaters likely noticed that not a single meat product was included in this list. We do need protein, and in small amounts, it is fine. However, we can also get our protein from beans and other plant products.
I eat most of these fairly regularly, but I must admit, not nearly enough as I should. Researching for and writing this post has taught me just how important these “super foods” can be. I hope that you too will improve your diet to include these tasty and healthy foods.
Comments
Thanks Julie! My problem is I can't eat a lot of the foods that should be good for me,so I'm always on the look out for healthy ways for myself.
Julie, this is fantastic information - thanks for sharing it. I have shared it so it reaches more people.
Julie your post is superb and very informative. Thank you for posting it in the community. I will post it on the Syndication Express blog so many, many more people can read it. Shared via Syndication Automation and Google plus.