Can specific foods prevent cancer?
This informative session will provide you with information on how diet can help prevent cancer. In my role as an obesity specialist I am often asked to explain the connection between diet and cancer. This article will explore the latest research on this subject and offer practical tips for cancer prevention.
Cancer Prevention and Food Choices
What we eat can have a major impact on our health and our chances of getting chronic illnesses like cancer. World Health Organization reports that around a third of cancer deaths are caused by behavioral factors such as diet, inactivity and alcohol abuse. Making informed food decisions is one way to reduce cancer risks.
Beginning Your Journey Towards Cancer-Preventive Diet
It's crucial to understand that there is no one food or component of food which can provide complete protection. A balanced and varied diet, according to the American Institute for Cancer Research , is crucial. Maintaining a healthy body weight is also important, as well as engaging in regular exercise.
List of foods that can help prevent cancer
- Broccoli is a cruciferous veggie that contains sulforaphane, which has been associated with lowering cancer risks in numerous studies .
- Antioxidants in berries may help prevent cancer.
- Tomatoes contain lycopene - a substance with anticancer potential.
- Several studies found that carrots are linked with a lower risk of some types of cancer.
- High fiber content may protect you from colorectal carcinoma.
- Garlic's active compounds are known to lower the risk of cancer.
- Green tea is rich in antioxidants, which can prevent cancer.
- Curcumin (the active ingredient in turmeric) has shown that it can fight cancerous cells of several different types.
- Citrus Fruits. Eating citrus fruit such as grapefruits, oranges, lemons, and limes was associated with lower cancer risk in certain studies .
- Research suggests eating fish can lower cancer risk, such as prostate cancer.
Other Tips
Other lifestyle choices are also important in the prevention of cancer. Physical activity, for example, not only reduces cancer risk but helps to control your weight. Cancer prevention also includes avoiding smoking and drinking alcohol. Regular self-examinations, including screening for breast, skin, colon and cervix cancer, can help you detect cancer earlier, which is when it's most effective to treat.
Conclusion
While there is no way to guarantee that you will not get cancer, healthy eating choices can help reduce your chances. Combining a diet high in vegetables, fruits, whole grains and lean protein with regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy body weight and refraining from harmful habits like excessive alcohol and smoking can lead to a healthier lifestyle and possibly prevent cancer.
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