When it comes to fighting cancer, eating lots of fruits and vegetables can help. These food choices are rich in cancer-fighting nutrients. Those with more color in them contain more of these nutrients, which are known to protect against cancer. They also help maintain a healthy weight, as excess weight can increase your risk of multiple cancers, including colon, esophageal, and kidney. Also, many fruits and vegetables contain naturally occurring folate, which protects against cancer and helps maintain good health. Some foods rich in folate are fortified breakfast cereals and whole-wheat products. Strawberries and orange juice are also great sources of folate and may help prevent some types of cancer.
Besides fruits and vegetables, eating a lot of plant-based foods can help prevent or slow down cancer. These foods contain hundreds of health-promoting phytochemicals that cannot be obtained from dietary supplements. For instance, broccoli contains isothiocyanate compounds that block the production of cancer-causing agents and slow the growth of tumors. Other vegetables high in these compounds include cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, collard greens, and kale.
Several studies suggest that eating a lot of fruits and vegetables can prevent one-third of cancer cases. Eating more plant foods is a powerful tool to fight cancer and following the New American Plate can help you achieve this goal. For example, your diet should contain at least two-thirds plant-based foods and a third animal protein, as recommended by the American Institute for Cancer Research. This ratio will ensure that you get the maximum amount of nutrients from your foods without putting you at risk for developing cancer.
Berries are a delicious treat that is high in antioxidants. Many researchers believe these substances may slow the growth of cancer cells. However, more research is needed to confirm this finding in humans. Berries also contain powerful antioxidants, which may help fight cancer by removing free radicals that damage our cells. Including berries in your anti-cancer diet is a good idea. So, what are you waiting for? Start implementing these food combinations into your diet today!
Green tea is also a powerful antioxidant and may form part of a good anti-cancer diet. It has been linked to lower risks of colon, lung, and esophageal cancers. It also contains epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a nontoxic chemical. If you are concerned about the safety of green tea, you should choose green tea, as it has more antioxidants than black. The benefits of green tea may outweigh the disadvantages of black tea.
Another way to fight cancer is by eating a healthy Mediterranean diet. This diet is rich in colorful fruits and vegetables. It is high in fiber and other nutrients and can reduce the risk of some types of cancer. Including plant-based foods can help fight cancer by eliminating sugary foods. The Mediterranean diet also emphasizes vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, and fish. If you follow these guidelines, you will be greatly improving your chances of preventing cancer.
