I agree, its a weird place to be fighting cancer – but if you are here actively reading about nutrition and food, then you have an understanding on how important nutrition is in combating many diseases. Cancer is one of those diseases.

There has been a lot of talk regarding breast cancer due to the Jolie Effect – that being Angelina Jolie’s choice to undergo an elective double mastectomy. Now, food cannot alter genes, but it can give your body a good fighting chance to prevent diseases. Let’s go through a list of some easy-to-find, cancer-kicking foods!

Garlic

I think we can safely say, if that smell can put humans off, it will do the same to cancer! Well this isn’t literal, but it’s actually the same compound that causes the odor, has been found to boost immunity, fight cancer cells, AND combats H. pylori (fancy name to a bacteria that grows in the stomach and is associated with stomach ulcers and cancers).

If there has ever been a superhero food – you just met it!

Tip: It’s best to use fresh garlic and not the powedered processed one, also after you’re done peeling the clove, let it sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the beneficial enzymes to kick in.

Tomatoes

contain lycopene, which is actually the reason for that beautiful red juicy color. It’s actually an antioxidant that attacks free radicals, that I’ve mentioned previously,

Tip: Tomatoes are best consumed cooked so that the outer walls are broken down for easier digestion of the lycopene, and to make it more concentrated.

Broccoli

cabbage, kale, cauliflower and broccoli all contain phytochemicals, which produce protective enzymes that are released when you take that big bite and chew off the cell wall. These protective enzymes, among other reasons have been found to protect against prostate, breast, and colon cancer – research is still being done to see exactly the extent of their benefit across other types of cancer.

Broccoli and its cousins are most protective against cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach, according to a review of hundreds of clinical studies conducted for the World Cancer Research Fund and the American Institute for Cancer Research.

Tip: you want to eat these as fresh as possible, so just steam them lightly and keep that gorgeous green color to get all the benefits!

Spinach and other green leafy veggies

These are  rich in lutein and zeaxanthin, which can also fight free radicals from your body before they damage it. Some recent studies show that they could protect against cancer of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach.

Berries

Raspberries contain many vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants known as anthocyanins that may protect against cancer, particularly colon cancer. Most berries share these benefits, but black raspberries are thought to have even more cancer-preventing properties than blueberries and strawberries

Eating fruits, in general, probably decreases the risk of lung cancer and could prevent cancers of the mouth, esophagus, and stomach – so stock up that fridge!

Fibre – Whole grains

We don’t know exactly how dietary fibre can help prevent colorectal and colon cancer but still it’s on the list  because they contain substances called lignans and saponins which can keep cancer cells from multiplying – don’t know about you, but that’s good enough reason for me!

Tip: you want food items that read 100% whole wheat or whole grain for the benefits mentioned here!

Green and black tea

contain certain antioxidants known as  (catechins) which have been shown to prevent cancer cells from dividing. Commercial herbal teas haven’t been shown to do this – so green tea takes the trophy here, followed by black tea as runner up.

I don’t know  if anyone of you noticed this little small piece of information – there’s no meat, chicken, or turkey on this list. Yes you can check again, it’s all veggies and fibre. COINCIDENTLY, this is national vegetarian week – So are you up for a vegetarian challenge? It’s just one week, and I already have a bunch of recipes on this blog you can put to use!

If you need an extra motivator, this recent article tells us and I shall quote for emphasis: “The World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) has just completed a detailed review of more than 7,000 clinical studies covering links between diet and cancer. Its conclusion is rocking the health world with startling bluntness: Processed meats are too dangerous for human consumption. Consumers should stop buying and eating all processed meat products for the rest of their lives.”

You read that? 7 0 0 0 clinical studies telling you that processed meats are cancerous – don’t hate the messenger.

So, vegetarian week?

Happy healthy living!

T

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