Fight Cancer with These Five Foods
Nearly 1 in 3 cancers in the United States is linked to excess body weight,
poor nutrition and physical inactivity. In fact, being overweight or obese
is clearly linked with an increased risk of many cancers, including cancer
of the breast (in women past menopause), colon, endometrium (uterus),
esophagus and kidney.
While we could all stand to incorporate more fruits, vegetables and exercise
into our lives, check out these 5 foods you might not expect to fight
all kinds of cancer.
Beets: This subterranean veggie goes sky-high with its cancer-fighting superpowers.
Beets can help to slow down the growth of active tumors in the body. Don’t
feel rooted to beet salad—a glass of beetroot juice will provide
the same benefits as the beet itself.
Beans: Beans are outstanding sources of antioxidants, giving them the power to
fight a number of cancer conditions. Beans also contain fiber: a high-fiber
diet may help reduce your risk of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Salmon: The Omega-3 content of salmon makes this a healthy protein to incorporate
in meals throughout the week. Let salmon play a role in a cancer-fighting
spread alongside beans and beets for a meal full of cancer-fighting, healthy
goodness. Opt for wild-caught Alaskan salmon, versus farm-raised, where
you’re able—the wild-caught fish retains more valuable, natural
Pomegranate Juice: Up your intake of this trendy juice to reduce your risk of cancer. Pomegranate
has been shown to have a direct effect on those with breast cancer in
their family histories, and it’s been shown to slow the growth and
rapid spread of all types of cancer cells.
Green Tea: Dust off the kettle and settle in for a cup. Tea contains antioxidants
called catechins, which may help prevent cancer in a variety of ways,
including protecting the body from damage caused by harmful molecules
called free radicals, which are atoms that have unpaired electrons and
are therefore unstable and highly reactive. Lab studies have found that
catechins in tea can shrink tumors and reduce tumor cell growth. Some
studies in humans have also linked drinking tea (of both the green and
black varieties) to a lower risk of cancer.
Prepared by: Beverly R. Wood MS, RDN, LDN, CaroMont Cancer Center