8 Foods That Fight Cancer
One of the easiest ways to promote good health and to help protect against cancer is having a MINDFUL diet. According to the American Cancer Society, one third of all cancer deaths are related to diet and activity factors. Celebrity nutritionist, chef and best-selling author Christine Avanti suggests adding these top eight cancer fighting foods to your diet.
1. Asparagus: This gorgeously green stem is packed with a powerful B vitamin called folate. Folate has long been known to benefit our hearts, and research has also linked high folate intake to a lower risk of colon, breast, ovarian, pancreatic and lung cancers.2. Artichokes: These thorny flower buds are your ally! Artichokes have high amounts of quercetin a flavonoid (think antioxidant) that works as an anti-carcinogen to protect against cancer andheart disease.
3. Garlic: Researchers at the American Institute of Cancer found that letting minced garlic sit for 10 minutes before heating helped to retain a third more of its cancer-fighting sulfur compounds.
4. Onions: According to a study by Cornell University food scientists, led by Rui Hai Liu, MD, PhD, associate professor of food science, shallots, Western Yellow, pungent yellow and Northern red onions are higher in anti-cancer chemicals than other onion varieties tested.
5. Broccoli and tomato: These two foods when combined were shown to slow tumor growth in rates by 52 percent, significantly more than tomato or broccoli individually, according to a study in Cancer Research. Scientists suspect the lycopene in tomato works as an antioxidant that protects the body’s cells while active agents in broccoli fight off carcinogens.
6. Red or Green Cabbage: This crisp treat is loaded with compounds that may protect against breast cancer. Red is more beneficial than green and sauerkraut – because of its fermentation process – boosts cabbage’s cancer-fighting compounds.
7. Pistachios: These tasty nuts are rich in an antioxidant called resveratrol, which may play a role in fighting cancer. They are also loaded with a compound called lutein, an eye health booster, and they are packed with fiber and potassium.
8. Corn: Corn contains a fiber called resistant starch the may help prevent colon cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
