Superfoods to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Superfoods to Reduce the Risk of Cancer

Cancer is an uncontrolled proliferation of body cells anywhere in your body. Anything that can cause a normal cell to develop abnormally can also cause cancer. Once it starts in one part of the body, cancer cells can quickly spread to other parts of your body. The general categories of cancer causative agents include toxic or chemical compounds, genetics, ionizing agents, and some other pathogens.

The disease is the second-leading cause of death globally. But thanks to early cancer treatment and screening campaigns, the survival rates are now better. Some of the common known cancer types include breast cancer, leukemia (blood cancer), prostate cancer, bladder, kidney, lung, melanoma, Non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and colorectal. While genetics may play a role in cancer development, environment and lifestyle choices, including the foods we eat may play a role in cancer risk. With that in mind, here are the top superfoods known to prevent cancer:

1. Fatty fish
Fatty fish like anchovies, salmon, and mackerel contain some nutrients like Omega-3 fatty acids and vitamins known to highly lower cancer risks. In simple terms, if your body is well equipped with vitamin D, it can lower the chances of contracting cancer.

2. Walnuts
The American Institute of Cancer Research has indicated that all types of nuts can help to prevent cancer. But scientists have extensively studied walnuts. According to the studies, these nuts have been discovered to contain a substance known as pedunculagin. During metabolism, the product is broken urolithin compounds. These compounds bind to the estrogen receptors and help to prevent breast cancer.

3. Legumes
Legumes like peas, beans, and lentils contain high fiber levels known to prevent cancer risks highly. Many meta-analysis research sources have shown a clear association between low cancer levels and high legume consumption levels. Specifically, high fiber levels intake helps to prevent the risks of breast cancer.

4. Berries
Berries are high in vitamin and fiber-rich superfoods. They are known to exhibit high ant-oxidation properties. Specifically, there has been a clear-cut correlation between the high consumption of anthocyanin, a blackberry compound, and colon cancer risks. Another trusted study shows that high consumption of blueberries can help to prevent breast cancer.

5. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables like kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are very rich in vitamin C, K and Manganese. They also contain an anti-cancer compound known as sulforaphane. Series of studies have shown that sulforaphane hinders cancer cell growth in the colons. It has also been proved to prevent breast cancer in combination with soybeans’ genistein compounds.

Most people tend to turn to alternative cancer treatments once they receive a cancer diagnosis. Doctor approved treatments include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormonal therapies like HER2+ mBC treatment for breast cancer. However, certain foods, such as those mentioned above, can also help to reduce the risk of cancer throughout the body.