13 Foods that may Reduce your Risk of Cancer

In this world, there is no pause in diseases and health problems. Today, the majority of people are suffering from health issues such as obesity, hypertension, Pcod and not to forget cancer! It is one of the deadliest and fastest-growing diseases which is quite critical to cure! According to reports, there are an estimated 2.25 million cases of cancer in India every year, which doubles every 10 years. This is an extremely alarming situation which requires immediate attention!

However, there is no such food that can help cure cancer but, the good news is there are some foods that can help reduce the risk of cancer. The prime reason for cancer is unhealthy food habits which can activate the cancer cells in our body and ultimately lead to suffering! Thus, eating healthy will not only reduce the risk of cancer but also many more health issues and diseases. The cleaner and greener your meal will be, the healthier you’ll be.

But before knowing about the healthy food to eat that may help reduce the risks of cancer know about the types of cancer that are rapidly growing. Some different types of cancers are-

• Thyroid cancer

• Stomach cancer

• Gallbladder cancer

• Pancreatic cancer

• Ovarian cancer

• Kidney cancer

• Endometrial cancer

• Colon and rectal cancer

• Uterine cancer

• Liver cancer

• Prostate cancer

• Mouth, throat, and oesophageal cancer

• Breast cancer

Keeping your meals and lifestyle healthy can help you prevent all these types of cancer and other chronic conditions and health issues. Whenever we talk about ‘cancer-fighting’ food then these foods must be loaded with phytochemicals, also called phytonutrients. This chemical is found in plants that can help prevent chronic diseases like cancer. More than 4,000 phytochemicals have been discovered and researched. There is not any super one food that contains all of them. They all offer different functions and benefits.

Here is the list of 13 foods that fight cancer and will reduce the risk of cancer: -

1. Millet Grains: - Millets, packed with fibre and antioxidants, can support a healthy diet, potentially reducing cancer risk. Their nutritional richness aids digestion and may lower colorectal cancer risks. So, it’s time to incorporate millet for a healthful diet.
2. Dried Berries: - Blueberries, blackberries, and cranberries all contain flavonoids that are packed with anthocyanins, which reduce inflammation and are one of the most powerful antioxidants. Eating these berries and other fruits and vegetables probably decreases the risk of lung cancer and can also prevent cancer of the mouth, throat, larynx, stomach, and prostate.
3. Nuts: - Adding nuts to your diet will not only reduce the risk of cancer but also it will make your overall health better. You can eat a reasonable portion every day without fearing weight gain. Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which may protect against lung cancer in those with low selenium status. Also, adding nuts to your diet each day may reduce your risk of developing cancer in the future.
4. Turmeric (Curcumin): - Fresh turmeric comes from a plant and looks a lot like its close relation to the ginger root. The active ingredient in turmeric is curcumin which is a chemical with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and even anticancer effects. Studies have found that it might work against lung, breast, prostate, and colon cancers.
5. Beans: - Beans also known as legumes, are rich in those types of phytochemicals which fight against cancer. These phytochemicals are saponins, protease inhibitors, and phytic acid. These chemicals can constrain the generation of cancer cells and slow the growth of tumours
6. Pulses: - Pulses like dry beans, peas, and lentils (Legumes) are rich in dietary fibres, resistant starch, phenolic acids, folate, anthocyanins (in red and black beans), Tanis (especially proanthocyanidins) and all may support the growth of health-promoting gut bacteria (the microbiome) that help reduce the risk of the majority of cancers.
7. Cinnamon: - ‘Daalcheeni’ is well known for its health benefits. It is used in tea, sweets, and even in curries for enhancing flavours and for some health benefits. It can reduce blood sugar and ease inflammation. Some studies have found that cinnamon blocks the spread of cancer cells. Cinnamon suppresses the growth of head and neck cancer cells and it is also significant for reducing tumour size.
8. Flaxseeds: High in fibre and heart-healthy fats, they also contain a compound called lignans, which may have a protective effect against certain types of cancer.
9. Broccoli: - ‘Eat broccoli it's good for your health’, you must have heard your mom saying this. Well, she’s right. Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a plant compound found in cruciferous vegetables that may have potent anti-cancer properties. Other cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, kale, and cauliflower contain phytochemicals that fight you know fights against cancer cells glucosinolates, which produce a protective enzyme that is released when you chew the raw veggie, rupturing cell walls. Our intestines produce these enzymes and when raw or cooked broccoli passes through the enzymes are activated.
10. Tomatoes: - Tomatoes are filled with antioxidants called lycopene. This nutrient called lycopene has been linked to cancer prevention, particularly for malignancies like prostate and lung cancer. Eating cooked or processed tomatoes, including tomato juice and pizza sauce, processing makes the cancer-fighting compound more available to your body because heat breaks down the plant’s cell walls.
11. Carrots: - Carrots are packed with disease-fighting nutrients. They contain beta-carbonate antioxidants. Scientists believe carrots may protect cell membranes from toxin damage and slow the growth of cancer cells. Cooked carrots supply more antioxidants than raw. Leave carrots whole while steamy or boiling and cut them down once they get done. This reduces the loss of nutrients including falcarinol and gives them a sweetened taste as well.
12. Citrus fruits: - Studies have found that citrus fruits such as lemons, lime, grapefruits, and oranges have been associated with a lower risk of cancer. People who eat large amounts of citrus fruits had a lower risk of developing cancers of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts.
13. Apples: - There is probable evidence that apples contain dietary fibre which decreases the risk of colorectal cancer and weight gain, overweight, and obesity. Apples provide dietary fibre and polyphenol compounds that partner with gut microbes to create an environment that may help to reduce the risk of cancer.

These are the 13 foods that prevent cancer in the most natural way. Add these foods to your diet and take benefits of them and live a fit and healthy life.

Foods to Avoid

All of us grow up eating foods that might taste yummy to eat but aren’t necessarily the best things to eat. Excessive consumption of alcohol and cigarettes and sugar-sweetened food and fried foods can all increase your risk of cancer. These are some foods to avoid to reduce your risk of cancer.

Conclusion

The key to reducing any type of disease or health issue is to be fit and eat clean, green, and healthy food. This is important because there is strong evidence that excess body fat increases the risk of at least 12 different cancers.  Make sure you do not overdo it with meals that are best eaten modestly. By providing your body with the correct nutrients, you can strengthen your immune system, avoid lean tissue loss and increase strength and vitality. You already read the healthy food to eat to reduce the risk of cancer.  As you work to lower your risk of cancer with a healthy diet, now make healthy eating habits as a part of your life.