10 Best Natural Foods That Prevent Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer has become a canker in our society. It starts when cells in the breast begin to grow out of control. These cells usually form a tumor that can often be seen on an x-ray or felt as a lump. The tumor is malignant (cancer) if the cells can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. Breast cancer occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get breast cancer too.
As much as the government with help from other organizations are trying their best to stop or reduce the disease in the country, let’s not forget that the major part of the work depends on us as individuals. Your health is your life and this depends mostly on our way of life of which the foods we eat are included.
Being healthy is such a precious thing, and that should be your motivation to make a long-term investments in your life.
Having a plate full of versatile fruits and veggies is the base of a powerful breast cancer prevention diet. Your food choices will sure improve your condition after a breast cancer diagnosis.
Women can reduce the chances of developing cancer by two-thirds with proper nutrition and weight management.
Do you know that overweight women who workout 3 hours a week and eat plenty of fruits and vegetables have a lot lower risk of developing breast cancer when compared to normal-weight women who sit for long hours and do not eat that much fresh fruits and veggies.
Regular exercises and raw foods do magic when it comes to preventing breast cancer. So, how can you reduce breast cancer risk and protect your health?
Well, that is quite simple. Include the following foods into your daily menu;
Cabbage
Cabbage or headed cabbage is a leafy green or purple biennial plant, grown as an annual vegetable crop for its dense-leaved heads.
All members of cabbage family destroy cancer cells. Eat more Brussel sprouts, cauliflower and kale. These veggies contain a cancer-fighting compound known as indole-3-carbinol. It has the power to deactivate oestrogen and reduce the risk of developing cancer.
Beetroot and radishes
Radishes are edible root vegetables of the Brassicaceae family. They are usually white or red in color and can be used for preparing salads.
These stimulate the immune system to prevent the growth of cancer cells, which is why they are considered to be effective in preventing breast cancer.
Spinach
It’s an edible flowering plant in the family Amaranthaceae native to central and western Asia. Its leaves are eaten as a vegetable.
It is one of the most powerful veggies when it comes to protecting women health. Spinach is loaded with folic acid and compounds that fight cancer-causing hormones.
Broccoli
Broccoli is an edible green plant in the cabbage family whose large flowering head is eaten as a vegetable.
Researchers from the University of Michigan have revealed that sulforaphane, a compound contained in broccoli, has the power to reduce the number of breast cancer stem cells. For optimal results, eat your broccoli raw or steamed, because boiling and high temperatures reduce their anti-cancer properties.
Parsley
Parsley is an annual herb indigenous to the Mediterranean region, but now cultivated worldwide. It has erect stems and bright green leaves. There are two types; a curly leaf type and a flat leaf type.
It is rich in apigenin, which is said to increase the resistance to developing cancer. Experts suggest adding some freshly chopped parsley to daily meals.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in likopen. They are considered as a natural protector of breast and women health. Eat them fresh, in the form of a juice or make a nice salad.
Olive oil
Olive oil is a liquid fat obtained from olives, a traditional tree crop of the Mediterranean Basin
Extra virgin olive oil is one of the best solutions for fighting cancer, because it is high in antioxidants and oleic acid. These inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Berries
Besides being delicious and juicy, berries give your body cancer-fighting compounds. Berries are rich in fiber which keeps breast cancer at a bay, because it eliminates any excess oestrogens and prevents the re-absorption of oestrogen in intestines. Buy some fresh berries and enjoy their taste while increasing your chances for breast prevention. They come in different sizes and colors.
Walnuts
Walnuts are round, single – seeded stone fruits that grow from the walnut tree. They include Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts(filberts), macadamia nuts, pecans. pine nuts, pistachios.
A study conducted at the Marshall University School of Medicine in West Virginia has shown that eating walnuts lowers the growth rate of tumors. Walnuts have strong anti-inflammatory properties which come from omega-3s, alpha-linoleic acid, phytosterols and antioxidants.
These give their tumor-fighting potential. Recent studies reveal that omega-3 oils prevent and slow down growth of cancer tumors, and also boost immunity.
Onion And Garlic
You might not like the smell of onions and garlic on your breath, but you might want to reconsider your dining options if you want to prevent cancer as a whole. According to studies conducted by Italian researchers, people who have a diet rich in onions and garlic have a significantly lower risk of developing certain cancers.. A moderate consumption of onions was found to lower the risk of laryngeal, colorectal, and ovarian cancers. Its anti-cancer effects are notably greater when more onions were consumed.