Best Foods to Prevent Cancer

W hile many diseases have been vanquished by modern research, cancer is still one of those we are battling against. If caught in time, modern treatments are very effective in fighting against it but they are still quite invasive and life-changing for the people who are hit with this disease. So how can we prevent cancer? The American cancer Society recommends leading an active life and having a healthy diet, with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day. However, certain kinds of food are considered especially effective. Let’s see which ones: - Garlic. A clove a day keeps cancer away – according to recent studies, those who eat garlic are less likely to develop cancer as the phytochemicals in this seasoning prevent cancer-causing substances from working and cancer cells from multiplying. It is particularly effective against cancer in the stomach, esophagus, colon, and breast. - Berries. Containing extremely powerful antioxidants, berries are a wonderful snack especially as they can stop free radicals from forming. All berries are beneficial as they are full with phytonutrients but black raspberries are particularly good for us as they are high in anthocyanins, which slow the growth of malignant cells especially for esophageal, colon, skin, and oral cancers. - Tomatoes. Extremely rich in lycopene – which is an extremely effective antioxidant – it is particularly effective against endometrial, prostate, stomanch, and lung cancer. - Cruciferous and leafy green vegetables. Vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and spinach are rich in beta-carotene and lutein, and thus are incredibly helpful in slowing down the growth of tumors by killing cancer cells. They are great in preventing cancer in the lung, liver, stomach, bladder, prostate, skin and breast. - Green Tea. Containing catechins – a powerful type of antioxidants – it stops free radicals from damaging healthy cells as well as stop cancer-cell growth. - Whole grains. Swapping white, refined bread and pasta with whole-wheat products is a great way to include cancer-preventing substances into your body. Enrich your diet with oatmeal, brown rice, and barley to fight the risk of colorectal cancer. - Turmeric. A staple in Indian cuisine, it contains curcumin, which laboratory studies have shown can inhibit certain kinds of cancer and slow down others. - Pulses. Foods like lentils, beans, chickpeas, and peas are a wonderful source of protein, phytoestrogens, and fibre like lignans which can neutralize free-radicals and help fighting both breast and colon cancer. - Nuts. Brazil nuts, almonds, and especially walnuts are rich in selenium, an important anti-cancer agent, and especially in phytosterols, which have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells especially in the breast and prostate. [Photo: www.flickr.com]