Cancer is a cunning and merciless killer hiding in the recesses of the human body in order to attack at the most unexpected moment and without hesitation to destroy everything that it meets on its way.
Read to the end to get the most useful information.
Despite the constant advances in medicine, current treatments cannot effectively prevent this terrible disease. WHO warns of imminent "cancer tsunami", predicting that in 2025 the number of cases cancer will increase from 14 to 19 million per year, in 2030 to 22 million, and in 2035 to 24 million. Without a doubt, this huge problem can affect all of us. But are we really powerless? Can't we do anything to prevent cancer?
Here are 10 of the most effective and affordable foods to help lower your risk of cancer.
1. Garlic and onion
Freshly minced garlic contains alliin, which is converted to allicin, a substance that inhibits the growth of cancer cells and stops the development of cervical, breast and colon cancers.
In turn, onions are a rich source of quercetin (up to 500 mg / kg of onions), which suppresses the action of carcinogenic agents. Quercetin is also found in smaller amounts in broccoli, beans, and green salad.
2. Soy
Soy is an excellent source of genistein and daidzein, which are compounds belonging to the phytoestrogen group. These chemically similar substances to the body's estrogens play an important role in the prevention of hormone-dependent cancers of the breast, ovary and prostate.
3. Cabbage
The vegetable contains glucosinolates, which have strong anti-cancer properties. Other cruciferous plants such as broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are also sourced. Research Shows Eating Cruciferous Vegetables Reduces Cancer Risk lungs, bladder, pancreas, stomach, thyroid, skin, prostate and thick intestines.
4. Broccoli
Broccoli is a potent source of sulforaphane, which has been shown to have anti-cancer activity against colon and prostate cancer. Sulforaphane is found in smaller amounts in other cruciferous vegetables. Its protective properties are observed at all stages of cancer development.
5. Spice
First of all, we are talking about curcumin, an antioxidant found in turmeric. In addition, capsaicin, found in red chili peppers, has potent anti-cancer properties. To increase the poor digestibility of curcumin, it is worth consuming it at the same time as hot paprika.
6. Green tea
It contains many flavonols called catechins, including epigallocatechin (EGC), epicatechin (EC), and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). The polyphenols found in green tea have antioxidant effects and inhibit the growth of cancer cells, including myeloid leukemia, skin, breast, oral and prostate cancers.
7. Berries
They contain ellagic acid with antioxidant, anti-mutagenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Raspberries, strawberries, cranberries, grapes, and walnuts are excellent sources of ellagic acid. In addition, the berries are also rich in anthocyanin, a plant dye that gives red, blue and purple color. Anthocyanin protects not only against certain types of cancer (colon, skin), but also against the development of diabetes and arthritis.
8. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, one of the strongest antioxidants in the carotenoid group. It is important to know that lycopene is much better absorbed from tomato products (concentrate, juice, sauces, ketchup), previously heat-treated than from fresh vegetables. In addition, red tomatoes are found to be more lycopene than yellow vegetables. And its highest concentration is observed in the peel.
Lycopene prevents DNA damage and protects against many types of cancer, including breast and prostate cancer.
9. Citrus
Contains a number of active compounds with anti-cancer properties. These include flavonoids (hesperidin in oranges, naringenin and campferol in grapefruit) and carotenoids (β-carotene in oranges and lycopene in red and pink grapefruits). In addition, citrus fruits are rich in vitamin C.
10. Red grapes
Grapes contain resveratrol, which has antioxidant, anti-mutagenic and anti-inflammatory properties. The highest concentration of this antioxidant is found in grape skins, which contain approximately 50-100 mcg of resveratrol per gram of dry matter. Resveratrol is also found in peanuts, red wine, and berries (blueberries, raspberries, strawberries, blackberries).
