Cancer is one of the largest health scares in the world today. To most people, being diagnosed with this illness is like a death sentence. It is one of the life-threatening illnesses that have no definite treatment as of today. What worrying is that the number of cancer patients has been on the rise in the last few decades. But what causes cancer? Well, medical experts have associate cancer with the kind of food we eat and the environment we live in. However, in rare cases, it could be genetic. However, most the types of foods we eat today are pointed out as one of the leading causes of cancer. That is why one of the most effective ways to prevent cancer naturally is by controlling what we eat.
Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle has made us conform to eating processed or quick foods which have been proven unhealthy. Most of these foods, especially fast foods, are junk and contains free radicals that increase the risk of cancer. So which foods should you eat to prevent cancer naturally? There are numerous types of healthy foods out there that fights cancer. These are foods that have astounding antioxidation and detoxification properties. Here is a list of foods you should have in your diet to prevent cancer:
Garlic
Garlic is one of the foods rich in disease-fighting nutrients. Studies conducted in this food have shown that it is rich in antioxidants such as sulfur. Sulfur is also responsible for the garlic odour. Some people breathe it when they have a cold or breathing complications and it works. Garlic is also a powerful detoxifier that flushes toxins that can cause cancer out of the body. It also helps to remove free radicals which are a major causes cancer.
Garlic also helps the body to speed up DNA repair thus reducing as well as killing cancer cells thus lowering the risk for cancer. In addition, garlic is useful in fighting dangerous bacteria such as H. Pylori, which also causes stomach cancer. Consuming at least one clove of garlic daily will significantly improve your cancer prevention.
Broccoli and Calciferous Veggies
Broccoli and other cruciferous veggies are must-have foods in your diet if you want to prevent cancer. These veggies are rich phytochemicals called glucosinolates, but broccoli has more than the rest. That is why diet experts refer to it as the phytochemical powerhouse. Glucosinolates are special compounds that produce sulforaphane, a protective enzyme to the body and a powerful detoxifier. Sulforaphane also flushes out-causing free radical and other cancer-causing chemicals.
Broccoli is also rich antioxidants which enable the body to get rid of free radicals that cause cancer. It is also rich in fibre content which crucial for a healthy digestive system. To get the most out of these veggies, you should chew them raw. Therefore, eating a salad or taking a smoothie of broccoli will improve your overall health including lowering risks for cancer. Some of the cancers that broccoli protect against include prostate, breast, mouth, stomach, lungs, and liver amongst others.
Tomatoes
Tomato is a common ingredient in almost all meal, but most people incorporate it because of its tastes. It is taken in different forms such as tomato juice and mostly taken with chips. It is classified as a fruit and a powerful source of vitamins and other nutrients.
However, studies have shown that tomato is an excellent weapon against various cancers such as prostate cancer, breast cancers, and heart disease. The red hue comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that helps to get rid of free radicals and other toxins in the body that causes cancer. To get the most out of it, eat them raw as juice or in a salad. That is how you can get all the best out of this fruit. Do not cook or overcook them as most of us do or remove the skin.
Strawberries
Studies have proven that berries are an antioxidant powerhouse. That is because of their incredibly high levels of antioxidants. Their ability to fight various diseases in the body is what makes them popular in the medical field. Various researches have pointed out that eating strawberries helps to protect against heart diseases and memory decline.
Besides that, these berries slow the growth of cancer cell thus helping to reduce the risk of cancer. Together with raspberries, they are rich in vitamin C and ellagic acid which are powerful antioxidants. Studies have shown that strawberries can prevent cancers of larynx, pancreas, prostate, and oesophagus among others. Eat the berries raw and fresh in if you want to get the most out of them. You can also make a juice out of these fruits.
Carrots
One of the most underrated foods in the fight against cancer is the carrot. Most people do not realize how rich in disease fight nutrients this vegetable is. According to various studies, carrots are very rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects the cell membrane damages from toxin and free radicals thus slowing the growth of cancer cells. Adding carrots to your diet will help you guard against cancers of oesophagus, pharynx, mouth, and breast. Some studies have also shown that carrot can help protect against cervical cancer since it has antioxidants that fight human papillomavirus which is a major cause of this type of cancer.
Verdict
These are some of the major cancer-fighting foods that you should add to your diet. These are foods that are rich in antioxidants, detoxifiers, and other disease-fighting nutrients. But it is essential to ensure that these foods are chemical free. That is why organic foods are most recommended. With that, you can be assured of a healthy dish. These foods are readily available in the market, and they will not add any significant cost to your food budget. So it will not cost you anything to eat a healthy meal as most of us tend to think. One other thing: buy from a store of repute.
