According to the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR), although there is no food that will cure cancer, there are arrays of different foods that will help people who have been diagnosed battle cancer, as well as help protect people who don’t have the disease.
Dr. William Li, director and president of the Angiogenesis Foundation, states that one in two men and one in three women in the United States will be diagnosed with cancer. Yet, with the right diet, you can take a big step in reducing your risks. According to MesotheliomaLawyerCenter.org eating the right foods is especially important to people who are at risk for developing cancer, whether it be due to exposure to toxic substances like asbestos, or from a history of cancer in your family.
Fruits
Fruits are healthy for anyone, but when it comes to fighting cancer, many fruits are considered “antiangiogenic” foods because of their distinct compounds. For example, blueberries, a great source of Vitamin C and K, also contains anthocyanins, a strong phytochemical that has cancer-fighting agents and helps with memory loss. Other fruits that are beneficial in battling cancer include:
- Apples: Apples contain a powerful phytochemical called quercetin, which is known for its cancer-fighting abilities, as well as several flavonoids and triterpenoids. Per the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), flavonoids contain anti-cancer mechanisms that help fight inflammation, metastasis, and more.
- Cherries: Cherries contain high amounts of cancer-fighting agents such as anthocyanins, as well as potassium, and Vitamin C.
- Cranberries: Cranberries also contain high amounts of flavonoids, including flavonols, anthocyanins, and proanthocyanidins, all of which will help battle cancer and promote overall wellness.
- Grapes: Grapes contain high amounts of resveratrol, a potent phytochemical that fights inflammation, slows the growth of cancer cells, and hinders tumor growth in several body parts.
Foods Rich in Folate
Research has suggested that people with a diet that contains high amounts of folate-rich foods will have a better chance in fighting off cancer. Furthermore, males who eat the recommended amount of folate daily decrease their risks of getting pancreatic cancer significantly. Examples of folate-rich food include:
- Orange juice
- Most breakfast cereals
- Salad with spinach and/or romaine lettuce
- Beans, including pinto, black, navy, lima, and kidney beans
- Collard and turnip greens
- Lentils
- Cabbage
- Avocados
- Okra
- Broccoli
- Beets
Spices
Spices are typically used to add flavor to food, but several spices also have strong cancer fighting properties, such as antibacterial agents that help to ward off inflammation, infections, and poor health.
- Oregano: Oregano contains arrays of powerful antioxidant agents, including quercetin. As aforementioned, quercetin is a powerful cancer-fighting agent. One teaspoon oregano equals eating two cupfulls of grapes.
- Garlic: Research suggests that garlic helps fight a series of different types of cancers, including colon, prostate, and stomach cancer.
- Curcumin: According to the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, curcumin may be linked to preventing brain cancer. In addition, a 2008 Cancer Prevention Research study suggests that curcumin helps to stop breast cancer cell invasion and movability.
Regardless of the type of cancer, eating the right foods is a powerful start in ensuring you’re doing your best to protect yourself.
This information was provided by Kaitlin Wilson of MesotheliomaLawyerCenter.org. Her organization specializes in asbestos cancer legal issues and has state specific information for all 50 states, including states with high incidence of asbestos cancer such as California, Florida, and New York.
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