Cancer is a major concern for many people. In fact, it’s the second-leading cause of death in the United States, surpassed only by heart disease. According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 1.6 million new cancer cases are diagnosed every year and about 585,720 deaths from cancer each year in America alone.
So what can you do? Fortunately, there are lots of ways to prevent cancer! One way is staying active – exercising regularly will boost your immune system and keep you healthy! Another way is to avoid breathing carcinogens – try not to breathe in too many by avoiding second-hand smoke or other pollutants. Lastly is by eating lots of healthy foods. This article will tell you more about what foods to eat to help prevent cancer.
Contents
Oranges
This article will show how eating the right foods every day can help you stay healthy- especially with a big event coming up like a wedding or prom! Orange is a great fruit that has many benefits. It contains high levels of vitamin A and C, dietary fiber, and potassium. To top it off, oranges are low in calories! The antioxidants found in oranges fight against free radicals, which cause cancer. Eating oranges also helps to keep your immune system strong, so you won’t get sick as often! Plus, they contain natural sugars for energy, so they will keep you going all day long without any added sugar from other sources.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a superfood- it’s loaded with antioxidants and other nutrients that keep you healthy. Broccoli has a high level of vitamin C, a vitamin that studies have shown may help fight against cancer. It also contains an antioxidant called indole-3-carbinol, which stops the growth of cysts in the breast and prostate from growing. Lutein, another nutrient found in broccoli, helps to boost your eye health! Try steaming some broccoli or microwaving it for a quick snack or side dish to add to your meal.
Strawberries
Strawberries are a great source of antioxidants! They contain phytonutrients, which are associated with many health benefits. Phytonutrients help to lower the risk of cancer and heart disease by slowing down oxidation in your body- basically, they fight free radicals that can damage cells or DNA. Strawberries also keep blood sugar levels stable since they are low on the glycemic index, meaning you won’t feel hungry as often. Try topping some strawberries on yogurt or even just eating them plain for an awesome snack!
Spinach
Spinach is high in lutein and zeaxanthin – compounds that help protect your eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration. But spinach also has lots of vitamin C! Just one serving of spinach provides over 100% of your daily recommended intake – it’s a healthy way to get lots of antioxidants and boost your immune system. Some other leafy green vegetables that contain vitamin C include kale, collard greens, mustard greens, and turnip greens.
Beans
A cancer-fighting food that is often overlooked is the humble bean! Many kinds of beans are high in antioxidants, which can help prevent all sorts of diseases. Studies show that black beans may be the most powerful kind – they slow down tumor growth and have been found to be beneficial against breast cancer, colon cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer. Basically, any kind of bean has antioxidant power, but black beans seem to give the best results.
Tomatoes
This article will show you which foods to eat to help prevent cancer. And did you know tomatoes can help fight against cancer, too? Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that has been shown to reduce the risk of lung and stomach cancer in smokers and people who drink alcohol regularly. Other fruits high in mycotoxins include watermelon, grapefruit, and pink guava. Eating a tomato-based soup can be a delicious way to get lots of this healthy antioxidant!
Nuts
Nuts are high in vitamin E, which is an antioxidant that can help protect against cancer. Also, peanuts (which are technically legumes) come with more health benefits than other nuts because of their unique nutrient profile. Their monounsaturated fat content helps to reduce LDL cholesterol levels while maintaining or increasing HDL cholesterol. Peanuts also have lots of niacin and folate, which boost heart health.
Sweet Potatoes
A cancer-fighting vegetable that also contains lots of antioxidants is the sweet potato! Studies have shown that sweet potatoes may help keep DNA from being damaged, thus preventing cells from mutating and becoming cancerous. Sweet potatoes are high in beta carotene, potassium, vitamin C, and copper- all important nutrients for a healthy body. You can enjoy sweet potatoes in many different ways – add some to soup or even eat them roasted with a little salt and pepper!
Blueberries
Blueberries are an awesome cancer-fighting food, and they’re also delicious! Blueberries contain antioxidants like anthocyanins, ellagic acid (which reduces cell damage), and vitamin C. They can help fight against lung cancer, leukemia, colorectal cancer, lymphoma, prostate cancer…the list goes on! One great way to eat blueberries is by adding them to a smoothie with some yogurt or milk for extra protein.
Conclusion
There are many ways to prevent cancer. One way is by eating lots of antioxidant-rich foods, such as blueberries, broccoli, strawberries, spinach, and oranges. These foods help to fight against free radicals that cause cancer. Another way to prevent cancer is by staying active-exercising regularly will help to boost your immune system and keep you healthy! Also, try not to breathe in too many carcinogens by avoiding second-hand smoke or other harmful pollutants.
