Healthy Eating for Cancer Prevention: Foods that Prevent Cancer

Limit

One way to help prevent cancer is to limit your intake of fat, including fatty meats, and eat more fruits and vegetables. There is no substantial evidence to show that red meat is linked to cancer, but heavily treated meats like lunchmeats, contain nitrates, which may cause cancer. It is not surprising that a cancer preventing diet is composed of whole foods and rich in fresh fruits and vegetables. You may wonder though exactly what foods are the best at preventing cancer.

Prevention

Research continues, but many reports indicate that some foods that prevent cancer have better cancer preventing qualities than others. The antioxidants called carotenoids in dark leafy greens are believed to destroy free radicals in our bodies before cancer can develop. Tomatoes, carrots, garlic, and certain types mushrooms also have different compounds that help prevent different types of cancer. Fruits and vegetables are not the only foods that prevent cancer. Whole grains contain fiber and antioxidants and flaxseed has omega-3 oils and a substance that produces an effect similar to antioxidants. You can also obtain these benefits in drinks. Green tea and red wine both have different antioxidants that protect the body from cancer. Some foods specifically prevent certain types of cancers because of the different antioxidants and compounds they contain. Lycopene, which may help lower the risk of prostate cancer, is found in tomatoes, watermelon, and strawberries. Green tea has flavanoids that may prevent the development of a number of different cancers, including breast, liver, and colon cancer. If you know what cancer you may be at-risk to develop, based on family history or other risk factors, you can focus on eating foods rich in compounds that prevent that type of cancer. Do not forget to get a variety of different fruits and vegetables though, to ensure you get all the nutrients that your body requires.

Changes

It is difficult to completely change your diet, especially overnight, but you can slowly add foods that prevent cancer into your diet. Use dark leafy greens for your salads instead of iceberg lettuce, and slice tomatoes, carrots and mushrooms into it for added benefits. Blueberries, one of the richest sources of antioxidants, can be eaten alone as a snack or added to your morning cereal. Try replacing one cup of coffee or soda a day with a cup of green tea. Finding innovative ways to slip healthy foods that prevent cancer into your diet will help you stay on track and continue to eat them regularly. You can find more information about foods that prevent cancer from your doctor.

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