There are no foods that provide complete protection from cancer. However, there are certain foods that may reduce the risk of developing cancer if an individual adds them to their diet.
Foods that have potent anticancer properties include:
Apples
The phrase “an apple a day keeps the doctor away” is quite true. Apples contain polyphenols that have promising anticancer properties. Polyphenols are plant-based compounds that may thwart irritation, heart disease, and infections.
A wide body of research suggests that polyphenols have anticancer and tumor-fighting properties. For example, the polyphenol phloretin constrains a protein called glucose transporter 2 that plays a vital role in advanced-stage cell growth in certain types of cancer. Another study suggests that apple phloretin considerably hinders the growth of breast cancer cells.
Berries
Rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fibers, berries contain antioxidant properties and have a range of health benefits. One study shows that anthocyanin, which is a compound in blackberries, decreases biomarkers for colon cancer. Another study reveals that the anti-inflammatory impacts of blueberries can avert the growth of breast cancer tumors in rats.
Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, cauliflower, and kale, contain useful nutrients, including vitamin C, vitamin K, and manganese. They also contain sulforaphane, a plant compound with anticancer properties. According to research, sulforaphane considerably constrains cancer cell growth and arouses cell death in colon cancer cells.
Another study shows that sulforaphane along with genistein, a nutrient in soybeans, can greatly hinder breast cancer tumor growth and size. The compound also hinders histone deacetylase, an enzyme with associations to cancer development.
Carrots
Carrots contain numerous vital nutrients including vitamin K, vitamin A, and antioxidants. They also contain high quantities of beta-carotene, which is responsible for the discrete orange color. Recent research discloses that beta-carotene plays an important role in supporting the immune system and may avert certain types of cancer. An evaluation of eight studies displays that beta-carotene has links to a decrease in the risk of breast and prostate cancer. Another examination shows that higher consumption of carrots results in a 26% lower risk of developing stomach cancer.
Fatty fish
Salmon, mackerel, and anchovies, are the varieties of fatty fish that are rich in important nutrients, such as vitamin B, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids. One study discovered that people whose diets were rich in freshwater fish had a 53% lower risk for colorectal cancer than those low in freshwater fish. Another study revealed that having fish oil later in life is linked with considerably lower risk for prostate cancer.
Lastly, a study conducted on 68,109 people revealed that people who ate fish oil supplements at least four times a week were 63% less likely to develop colon cancer than those who did not.
Walnuts
An extensive body of research suggests that all nuts show cancer-preventing properties, but researchers have studied walnuts more than other types of nut. Walnuts contain a material called pedunculagin, which the body breaks down into urolithins—compounds that bind to estrogen receptors and may play a role in thwarting breast cancer.