Cancer is a pressing concern among people now. By a long chalk, cancer patients are put through surgeries, chemotherapy sessions, and radiation as a means of treatment. In essence, the other parts of the body also bear the brunt of the side effects that crop up. However, many of us don’t know that the effects of cancer can be mitigated with the right foods. As per various studies conducted, some food items are successful in reducing your risk of cancer and also healing it. Wondering which they are? Read on below:
Cruciferous Vegetables:
Such vegetables include broccoli, cauliflower, and kale. These cruciferous vegetables are a goldmine of nutritional properties. The sulphur-containing compounds and sulphoraphanes immune the body against cancer. These vegetables kill the cancer cells and eradicate cancer-causing substances. These vegetables are most effective in healing cancers of liver and bladder.
According to a study conducted by the researchers at the University of Otago’s Christchurch School of Medicine, cruciferous vegetables kill those cancer cells that are resistant to chemotherapy too.
Berries:
These are not only lip-smacking but also beneficial to health. Berries enable the body to fight against cancer because they are rich in powerful antioxidants. These antioxidants decelerate the naturally occurring processes in the body. They also create free radicals to retrieve the body from the potential threat of cell damage. Mix them with smoothies or yoghurt and consume them to keep cancer at bay.
A study published by the journal eCAM proved that the compounds of blueberry can suppress “adverse changes associated with irradiation.” This is a testimony to the fact that blueberries potently kill cancer cells.
Alliums:
Onions, garlic, chives, and leeks are collectively called alliums, which specialize in fighting cancer. Alliums have rich anti-oxidants that effectively fight cancer beside adding rich aroma to food.
In many instances, consuming alliums has healed oesophagus, stomach, and colon cancers.
In a study carried out by the University of Guelph in Ontario, it was found that the compounds found in red onions help avert cancer. The ruby ring onions are highly sought after for fighting cancer.
Tomatoes:
Often underestimated, tomatoes have great therapeutic properties. These are rich in lycopene, which is an eradicator of cancer. Lycopene lessens the oxidative stress in the cells throughout the body and stops risky cellular changes. Tomatoes have said to cure prostate and endometrial cancer in previous instances.
As per a study conducted by the Temple University and the Mercogliano Oncology Research Center in Italy, researchers examined the lipophilic extracts of whole tomatoes to understand their impact on the neoplastic features of cell lines in gastric cancers. They found out that these extracts from two tomato varieties, San Marzano and Corbarino restrict the spread of stomach cancer cells and lessen their malignant characteristics.
Papaya:
There is no dearth of Vitamin C and E in papaya. It is also inundated with beta-carotene, a potent anti-oxidant. The protein-digesting enzyme called Papain in papaya helps improve digestion. You should, however, choose non-GMO ones to cut down the toxins.
Leafy Greens:
Take a cue from Popeye and eat a lot of spinach. Apart from spinach, there are many other leafy greens to choose from. Kale and Swiss Chard make everyday salads, soups, and pasta tastier.
The distinguishable benefits start showing up after a few days of consumption. Leafy greens are experts in curing mouth and throat cancers through antioxidants such as lutein, vitamins, and loads of dietary fibres.
Doctors and researchers from the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute’s Molecular Biology division in Melbourne, Australia found out that consumption of leafy greens activates a special type of immune cell in your body. Located at the lining of the intestine, these Innate Lymphoid Cells protect the body from bad bacteria. They also prevent the furtherance of infection in the intestine. Hence, the digestive system is secured from cancer.
Whole Grains:
Like quinoa, oats, and other dietary fibres, whole grains are deft at preventing cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer. The ferulic and ellagic acids that they have aplenty can help eliminate free radicals and safeguard the healthy cells.
Scientists at the Nordic Health-Whole Grain Food in Copenhagen found out that whole grains can magically heal cancer. Consumption of whole grains on daily basis can be highly beneficial.
Green Tea:
Green tea is enriched with substances called polyphenols that effectively kill cancer cells. Green tea leaves contain many other ‘bioactive’ compounds that act in our body in beneficial ways.
Going by the study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research, the compound EGCG (Epigallocatechin-3-gallate) found in green tea activates a process in the mitochondria to kill the cancer cells.
Garlic:
Those who consume a lot of garlic are less likely to have cancer. The digestive organs such as oesophagus, stomach, and colon are secured if you consume garlic routinely. The pungent bulbs stop cancer-causing cells from multiplying. But sadly, they don’t completely remove the cancer-causing substances in the body.
As per a study conducted by the American Cancer Association, compounds found in garlic can kill the cancer cells. It revealed that the organosulphur compounds derived from garlic such as diallyl sulphide, diallyl disulphide and diallyl trisulphide resist carcinogenesis. The compounds effectively reacted in glioblastoma cells, a common type of Brain Cancer cell.
Turmeric:
The key quality of turmeric is that it is anti-inflammatory. It causes the cancer cells to fade out, restricts tumour growth, and optimizes the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Turmeric becomes more advantageous when it is mixed with black pepper or soaked in oils.
Recently, scientists discovered that curcumin, the naturally occurring substance extracted from turmeric is an infallible compound to kill cancer cells.
However, Dipanjan Pan, an associate professor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Campaigns in the US contradicted the statement. He said that curcumin is half-therapeutic because it is half-soluble in water.
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