Abnormal cell growth leads to cancer which invades the immunity system of the body and spreads to other parts of the body fast. Cancer, in today’s world, has become a real concern. Cancer causes about 14.6% deaths in the world. This disease spreads very fast and there is no particular cure for cancer. But, as the famous proverb goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” This article brings to you certain food items that can help prevent cancer.
1.
Avocados
Avocados are a rich source of glutathione, an antioxidant that can prevent the intestines from absorbing certain types of fats. They also contain potassium and beta-carotene which can prevent liver damage and thus liver cancer.
2.
Broccoli, Cabbage And Cauliflower
These have indole-3-carbinol, a chemical component that can prevent breast cancer. This component converts an estrogen that can promote cancer into a protective estrogen. They also have sulforaphane which can avoid colon and rectal cancer. Broccoli sprouts have more sulforaphane than the ordinary broccolis.
3.
Carrots
A rich source of beta carotene, carrots can prevent many types of cancer, some of which are lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestine, bladder, prostate and breast. Too much quantity of beta-carotene can cause cancer, but that is if you consume 2-3 kilos of carrots every day. Carrots contain a substance called falcarinol which can reduce the speed of the growth of cancer cells. Cooking Carrots kill falcarinol and hence, eating raw Carrots is recommended.
4.
Chilli Peppers And Jalapenos
Capsaicin can neutralise the effect of nitrosamines, substances which can cause Cancer. Chilli peppers and Jalapenos are a rich source of this chemical and thus help prevent cancer like stomach cancer.
5.
Figs
Figs have a derivative of benzaldehyde which can shrink tumours, thus preventing cancer. It also contains vitamin A and C, calcium, magnesium, and potassium which can reduce weight, thus reducing obesity, which is another cause for this disease.
6.
Flax
It contains lignans, an antioxidant which prevents cancerous changes in the body. The presence of omega-3 fatty acids prevents colon and heart cancer.
7.
Garlic
They have diallyl sulfides which increase the cellular activity of the immunity system that fight cancer. They also have the power to stop carcinogens from entering the cells and slow the development tumours. In certain cases, this chemical component can make carcinogens inactive in the liver. Garlic can lower the risk of stomach and colon cancer.
8.
Grapefruits
They contain monoterpenes which can remove carcinogens from the body and thus reduce the risk of having cancer. They also have vitamin C, beta-carotene and folic acid and can reduce breast cancer.
9.
Kale
It has nitrogen compound called indoles which can prevent the conversion of cells to cancerous cells. Isothiocyanates, also found in Kale, can stop the growth of tumours and obstruct the cancer-causing substances from getting to their target.
10.
Mushrooms
Not all mushrooms, but some mushrooms like Shiitake, Maitake, Reishi, Agaricus blazei Murill and Coriolus Versicolor are good for the health because they help in making the immune system stronger. They contain certain polysaccharides especially Lentinan, beta glucan and a protein called lectin, all which improves the immunity of the body and stop the cancerous cells from multiplying. They also have Thioproline which increases the production of interferon which attacks cancer-causing cells. Extracts from mushrooms are used in chemotherapy also.
11.
Nuts
They contain quercetin and kaempferol, antioxidants which can stop cancer. Some nuts also contain selenium which can prevent prostate cancer. But some people are allergic to nuts. So those people can have supplements containing selenium.
12.
Raspberries
They contain vitamins, minerals, plant compounds and anthocyanins (antioxidants) which protect the body from cancer. Black Raspberries can prevent colon cancer. Black Raspberries are more likely to put off the body from cancer than any other Raspberries.
13.
Rosemary
Carnosol, an extract from Rosemary, helps in stopping the growth of tumours in breast and skin, thus preventing the body from skin and breast cancer. They also increase the activity of the enzymes which can detoxify the body, thus helping the body to fight against cancer-causing cells. Rosemary is often used in tea and is very helpful for the body.
14.
Soy Products
The most common and important soy product is tofu. They contain phytoestrogens which can prevent breast and prostate cancer. They also contain isoflavones which can lower the risk of breast cancer by avoiding the growth of epithelial cells and blood vessels which are required for the tumours to grow in the body. Over-consumption of soy products can lead to hormonal imbalances which in turn can stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
15.
Tea
Not all types of tea but Green Tea and Black Tea are useful in preventing the body from cancer. They contain catechins (polyphenols) which can stop the cancer cells from growing and spreading to other parts of the body. Green Tea is the best since it has high quantities of these polyphenols and is followed by Black tea. Herbal tea does not have this benefit. These polyphenols can put off various types of cancer such as stomach, lung, colon, rectum, liver and pancreas.
16.
Tapioca
It is a derivation of the cassava plant. This fruit can manufacture hydrogen cyanide which can prevent different types of cancer.
17.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant which can help the body to fight against cancer by attacking free oxygen molecules that responsible for causing this disease. They also contain Vitamin C which can avert the damage of cells and thus protect from cancer. Doctors recommend cooked tomatoes since cooked ones are better than raw tomatoes. They can lower the risk of breast, prostate, pancreas and colorectal cancer. Raw tomatoes contain certain chemicals which can trigger the growth of cancerous cells.
18.
Turmeric
It helps the body to produce cyclo-oxygenase 2 (COX-2) which has the power to reduce inflammation and is thus useful for protecting the body against any disease which includes inflammation, including cancer. It can prevent bowel and colon cancer.
19.
Seaweed And Other Sea Vegetables
They contain beta-carotene, protein Vitamin B12, fibre, chlorophyll, chlorophyllins (fatty acids), minerals, potassium, calcium, magnesium, iron and iodine which can help prevent the body from breast cancer. They contain estrogens which can nullify the effect of cancer-causing estrogens and also avert the growth of cancerous cells in the body.
There is no particular food item that can prevent the body from cancer. But a particular amount of the above food items, when incorporated in the diet, can prevent various types of cancer. Over-consumption of any of the above is also harmful and therefore, the right quantity should be consumed.
