Top Ten Cancer Fighting Food

1 - Yellow and Green Vegetables

Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are the best known varieties of the ‘cruciferous' vegetables and all have good records as cancer fighters because they're rich in ‘phytochemicals' such as sulforaphane.

Spinach is a dark, leafy green vegetable high in antioxidants and rich in ‘carotenoids' and folic acid, which are known to combat some cancers.

Pumpkin and carrots, which are high in ‘beta-carotene', have been shown to have protective effects against stomach cancers.

2 - Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants especially vitamin C and ‘lycopene'. Antioxidants protect the body from cell and tissue damage, which is caused by harmful molecules called free radicals. Cooking tomatoes in foods such as spaghetti sauce can actually boost their ability to fight cancers.

3 - Oranges

Rich in vitamin C and ‘bioflavonoids', oranges and their juice are thought to be able to improve the blood lipid (fats) profile, reduce oxidative stress, and improve blood levels of HDL cholesterol.

4 - Garlic

This pungent member of the onion family has been hailed for its therapeutic benefits, especially for cardiovascular conditions. Garlic has also been reported to lower blood cholesterol and confer protection against cancer development and progression, and to boost general immunity.

5 - Tea

Tea contains antioxidant ‘polyphenols' called catechins. Green tea contains the highest levels of catechins, followed by oolong and black teas. Studies have shown catechins halt tumour cells and protect healthy cells from damage. Drinking three coffee-sized mugs of green tea a day might provide useful levels of polyphenols.

6 - High Fibre Foods

Either soluble or insoluble, dietary fibre (roughage) is not digested in the stomach or small intestine, as most other nutrients are. Some components of dietary fibber are broken down and digested in the large intestine (colon). Foods high in fibber such as grains, cereals, apples, and whole wheat are thought help protect against cancer of the colon.

7 - Peppers and Spices

Capsaicin, the active ingredient in hot chilli peppers, is thought to be able to kill cancer cells by damaging the cell membranes and limiting the amount of oxygen that reaches them. Many dried herbs we cook with, and some you may have in your garden, also contain very high concentrations of phytochemical antioxidants which have health benefits.

8 - Beans

Rich in isoflavones, a type of phytochemical, beans are thought to provide protection against prostate cancer. Soybeans have also been shown to have breast cancer-fighting properties as well as protective effects against cardiovascular disease.

9 - Olive Oil

One of the best and healthiest types of fat and high in phytochemical antioxidants and vitamin E. Olive oil is a major component of the so-called Mediterranean diet. Olive oil is thought to be helpful in prevention of breast and colon cancer.

10 – Berries

Berries including raspberries, blackberries, strawberries, cranberries, and red and purple grapes have high amounts of ‘ellagic acid', a plant nutrient with protective effects against oesophageal and colon cancer in animals. Berries are also rich in powerful antioxidant flavonoids. Ellagic acid alone does not account for the fruit's ability to inhibit cancer, so a healthy diet should contain suitable quantities of fruit.

The full article can be found in the following link:
http://www.abc.net.au/overnights/stories/s1890490.htm

Find out more health tips ...