If there was a list of the most dreaded diseases on the planet today, cancer is sure to be among the top items on it. A recent survey done in 2020 has confirmed this. Cancer Research UK found that cancer is the most feared disease among 2,000 adults surveyed. While HIV and Alzheimer’s are also taking a share of this pie, these diseases come in second.
But cancer isn’t going to disappear any time soon. These days, cancer is still among the leading causes of death worldwide. In 2018 alone, the number of cancer patients was pegged at 18.1 million cases globally, with over 9.5 million people succumbing to cancer-related deaths. With the trend of cancer cases increasing, it’s expected that there will be 29.5 million cancer patients by 2040 and over 16.4 cancer-related deaths.
Studies have reflected that cancer rates are higher in countries with the highest standards of living and life expectancy — with the United States being part of these countries.
The good news is diet can play a huge role in minimizing your risk of cancer. While foods cannot guarantee total protection against the disease, eating certain foods can help you prevent cancer as much as possible. See how the anti-cancer foods below can help you.
Fruits and Vegetables Galore
Right off the bat, you should cater to more fresh servings of fruits and vegetables. Such fresh produce gives you your needed dose of vitamins and minerals that can help reduce cancer risk. Powerful antioxidants from nature can reverse the cancer-promoting work of harmful free radicals in the body.
Some people have an aversion to fruits and vegetables because of their blandness. Junk food from fast-food chains may be delicious. However, they offer very little nutrients to the body and have tons of calories. In the long run, you grow fat from eating this type of food if you make it a habit.
Meanwhile, a plant-based diet means you’re taking on a diet with low sugar. A good example here is the Mediterranean diet, which is an array of plant-based foods that can help you fight cancer risks.
Sip Green Tea
Cancer is a degenerative disease that usually involves aging individuals. Like most families who have someone suffering from cancer, it’s a frightening disease. As abnormal cells in the body continue to multiply and grow, they bring about instability. As the disease progresses, patients often feel tired and lose their appetite. Ultimately, the body is like a plant wilting away, dying from the inside.
Fortunately, cancer, especially in the early stages, can be treated successfully. Cancer treatment centers, for one, use a combination of treatments suited for the cancer patient to achieve the best results. They include chemotherapy, immunotherapy, and radiation therapy.
Another great way to prevent cancer is drinking tea — green tea, specifically. Green tea has a powerful antioxidant that plays a central role in fighting cancer. This is the nontoxic chemical called epigallocatechin-3 gallate, which acts to limit urokinase, a powerful enzyme known to promote cancer growth.
Tomatoes to the Fore
If you’re serious about cancer prevention, you should not forget about tomatoes. The antioxidant lycopene found in tomatoes has been proven to be a powerful deterrent to cancer. In addition, lycopene exhibits a greater role in fighting cancer than Vitamin E and alpha-carotene or beta-carotene. However, it’s best to cook tomatoes before eating them, as cooking releases more lycopene.
Take on Fish
You might want to skip on the fish during dinner, but fish is actually good for cancer prevention. Fatty fishes, most especially tuna and herring, have Omega-3 fatty acids, a fatty acid linked to minimizing the risk of prostate cancer.
So next time you pass up on fish, think again. You could be letting go of one of the more helpful anti-cancer foods.
Max on Garlic and Onions
Studies show that onions and garlic can effectively block the buildup of nitrosamines — carcinogens that target specific sites in the body, such as breasts, liver, and the colon. By consuming garlic and onions, you actually protect yourself from the dreaded killer disease.
Munch on Grapes
Red grapes not only look delicious but also contain seeds filled with activin, a super antioxidant that fights cancer. If you want to make the most of the activin, drink a healthy amount of red wine and red grape juice.
Use the Right Oil
Last but not least, take advantage of olive oil. This is a staple in Mediterranean countries as a salad oil and for cooking. Statistics show that breast cancer is lower by 50% in Mediterranean countries than in the United States.
Cancer is a difficult disease to handle, let alone treat. In as much as it is unpredictable, we can still make some lifestyle changes to keep ourselves healthy and lower the risk of disease. By taking in the right type of food, you can surely make your body stronger and more resilient.
