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Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, a

pandemic that claims millions of lives each year. Cancer starts


with healthy cells, slowly mutating into cancer cells that form
tumors. As the tumor grows, it disrupts normal body functions,
steals nutrients from the body, eventually causing organ failure.
Although extensive tests and researches have been conducted to
determine how the disease works, cancer remains as an incurable
disease. The likelihood of death is high when diagnosed with this
condition.
The good news is, certain types of foods we eat may inhibit cell
mutation that leads to cancer. If you fortify your diet with the
following foods, you just might be cutting your risk of developing
this disorder:

1. Red Grapes
Aside being a rich source of essential vitamins and minerals,
grapes also contain a potent antioxidant called resveratrol.
Resveratrol is part of a family of compounds known as
polyphenols. Polyphenols are antioxidants that protect the body
from free radicals and repair cells from damages.
Resveratrol in grapes is concentrated on the skin. Resveratrol
contains a range of anti-carcinogenic, anti-inflammatory
properties and is known to prevent the onset of Alzheimers
disease. Its also helps prevent the growth of cancer cells.
Because Resveratrol is highly soluble in alcohol, red wine is a rich
source of antioxidants although we recommend taking only a
glass or two of red wine because alcohol, in itself, is a neurotoxin.

Besides Resveratrol, red grapes are also packed with


macronutrients like calories, protein, fiber, carbohydrates and the
likes. It is also a great source of vitamins like Vitamin K, C,
thiamine, B-6 and B Vitamins. These are all essential in bone and
tissue repair; it also strengthens the immune system and at the
same time keeps your hair and skin healthy. Minerals like
potassium, magnesium, zinc, iron and phosphorous are also
present in red grapes which all play a role in keeping the heart,
muscles, nerve function and blood pressure strong. Red grapes
are also rich in polyphenols and flavonoids which are both
powerful antioxidants that help in lowering your risk for high
cholesterol, high blood pressure, blood clots and heart diseases
making this fruit one of the best antioxidants there is.

2. Garlic
Garlic, which is part of the Allium class of bulb plants, is
commonly used as flavorings in various cooking. This vegetable
contains beneficial vitamins and compounds including arginine,
oligosaccharides, flavonoids, and selenium. But one of the most
important compounds in garlic is allicin. Clinical studies show that
allicin, which is garlics major bioactive compounds precursor, is a
powerful anticancer compound.
Most bulb-plants like garlic, onions, leeks and chives contain
allicin and are believed to slow down or prevent the growth of
tumors.
Studies show that an increased intake of garlic minimizes the risk
of developing stomach, colon, esophagus, pancreas, and breast
cancer. In one study, women who took the highest amounts of

garlic slashed their likelihood of developing distal and colon


cancer by up to 50%.
Garlic also contains a compound called diallyl disulfide. According
to research, diallyl disulfide helps protect the skin, colon and lung
from cancer although how the compound works is largely a
mystery. These antioxidants fight off the free radicals found in the
body and reduces or prevents damage which is caused by these
toxins over time.
Garlic is also great in preventing heart diseases. Studies show
that it helps slow down the high blood pressure as well as
atherosclerosis at about 5-8%. It also makes the blood thinner
which helps in preventing strokes and heart attack. Garlic is also
one of the best cures for common cold. One study showed that
people who took garlic during cold season has been proven to
have lesser colds than those who did not.
As an antioxidant, garlic helps in strengthening the immune
system by fighting diseases like cancer. It is suggested that eating
raw or cooked (not supplements) garlic lessens the risks of
getting colon and stomach cancers. Garlic is also used to treat
common intestinal parasites like Ascaris Lumbricoides but it has
not been tested on humans yet. It has also been proven to reduce
prostate sizes in men. Ring worm, athletes foot as well as jock
itch have also been proven to be cured by garlic.

3. Decaffeinated Green Tea


Can green tea eradicate cancer? You bet! Countless clinical
studies and researches show that green tea is not only a vitamin

and mineral-rich food source; its also a potent cancer fighter that
inhibits metastasis in cancer patients.
You see, green tea, particularly decaffeinated ones, is a rich
source of catechins, a type of antioxidant belonging to the
flavonoids class. According to research, Catechins may play a
major role in cancer prevention. Green tea also contains
chemicals called EGCG and ECG, free-radical fighting compounds
that protect the cells from DNA damage caused by reactive
oxygen species.
Green tea is a rich source of a class of flavonoids known as
catechins. Laboratory studies have shown that the catechins
present in green tea are able to slow or prevent the development
of cancer in colon, liver, breast, and prostate cells.
In China, green tea has been used as medicine for thousands of
years. It became a popular medicine throughout Asia as it has
been proven to lower blood pressure and helps in preventing
cancer. Because of this, green tea has proven to contain more
antioxidants and poly-phenols making it more beneficial to health
than any kind of tea.
Aside from being packed with antioxidants, green tea has also
proven to have many health benefits. It has proven to be one of
the best herbs that you can use to your skin as it helps fight off
signs of aging like wrinkles. The antioxidant and antiinflammatory components of this tea has been proven to reduce
the skins capacity to be damaged by the suns harmful rays. It is
also great for curing depression as there are natural amino acids
found in the green tea leaves that provide relaxation to many tea
drinkers. It is also great for tooth decay, reduces the risks of
esophageal cancers and at the same time delays the formation of

Parkinsons and Alzheimers disease.


Antioxidants found in green tea also help in weight loss. It has
been found that polyphenol in green tea intensifies the oxidation
of fat at high rates that it eventually helps turn food into calories.
Green tea is also beneficial in diabetic patients. The antioxidants
also help regulate blood glucose levels which prevents in the
spikes of insulin in the body.

4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a rich source of vitamin A and C. It also contains
powerful antioxidant called lycopene, that may help reduce the
risk of certain cancers, particularly, prostate cancer. This is
according to a published research by Harvard School of Public
Health.
Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes. They help
in limiting the damage of free radicals in your body and at the
same time help boost the immune system, prevents the formation
of cancer and cardiovascular diseases. It also helps absorb the
calcium and iron which are both needed by the body.
According to the research, eating tomatoes and consuming
tomato-based products reduced the risk of prostate cancer. Men
who consume 2 or more servings of tomato sauce each week has
23% lower risk of developing prostate cancer and 36% lower risk
of metastatic prostate cancer than those who took less than a
serving of tomato sauce per month.
However, research shows that in order to fully absorb and utilize
the anti-carcinogenic properties of lycopene, tomatoes have to be

eaten in cooked form, such as through tomato sauce, catsup,


tomato paste and tomato juice. Apart from minimizing the risk of
prostate cancer, tomatoes may also protect the body from breast,
lung, and pancreatic cancer.
Tomatoes also help in reducing inflammations in the body. Since it
is packed with antioxidants, they help in weight loss and at the
same time slows down the aging process. They also work well
with other anti-inflammatory foods like olive oil, fish, carrots,
garlic and the likes. Vitamin E found in tomatoes is also great
antioxidants that helps discontinue the production of free radicals
when fat undergoes oxidation. So if you havent taken your daily
dose of tomatoes yet, its best to include it in your diet today and
benefit from its powerful antioxidants

5. Cruciferous Vegetables
Virtually all types of plant food, including fruits, green leafy
vegetable and grains, contain trace amounts of phytonutrients.
Apart from being a rich source of beta-carotene, lutein,
zeaxanthin, vitamins C, E, and K, folate and minerals, cruciferous
vegetables also contain compounds known as glucosinolates.
Glucosinolates offer anticancer properties because of its ability to
break down several biologically active compounds.
Cruciferous vegetable belong to the Brassica genus, they are
comprised by arugula, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, radishes,
cauliflower, wasabi, kale, watercress, etc.
Glucosinolates are released from cruciferous vegetable through
the act of chewing and digestion. Once Glucosinolates are broken
down, they yield compounds such as indoles, nitriles,

thiocyanates, and isothiocyanates, indole-3-carbinol, and


sulforaphane, all of which are prized for their anti-cancer effects.
These compounds not only slows down the growth of cancer cells,
they also help shrink tumors.
Cruciferous vegetable protect the body from most types of cancer
including bladder, colorectal, stomach, prostate and lung cancer.
Antioxidants found in cruciferous vegetables may help reduce the
risk of getting cataracts and macular degeneration. The Vitamin C
found in them helps produce collagen which is needed in building
cartilage, prevents the risks of bone fractures and improves joint
flexibility. It also helps reduce the risks of arthritis and at the
same time keeps the skin and hair healthy. Folate, Vitamin B6 and
B Vitamins also help in reducing the risk of cardiovascular
diseases and memory loss. It also contributes in hair and scalp
conditions. The folate found in these vegetables is also great for
improving ones mood and depression.
Beta-carotene in these vegetables also helps repair the bodys
tissues. Since it is packed with antioxidants, it also helps protect
your skin against the damage from the suns harmful rays. It also
regulates Vitamin A production in the body. However, despite
being full of antioxidant and health benefits, these vegetables can
also trigger IBS. So if you have this condition, its best to limit the
intake and find other alternatives for antioxidant-rich food.

6. Flaxseeds
Flaxseed oil is a popular health food promoted since the early 50s
and its anti-cancer properties have been subject of much research
and debates over the years.
A rich source of essential fatty acids such as Omega-3 fatty acid

and alpha-linolenic acid, flaxseed and flaxseed oil is a known


treatment for a myriad of health illnesses including heart
diseases, diabetes, clogged arteries, breast pains, ADHD or
Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, and yes, cancer (prostate
and breast cancer, in particular).
Flaxseed contains an antioxidant known as lignans. Lignans are
known to suppress cancer cells from spreading, kill cancer cells
and stop abnormal cells from turning to cancerous cells. Clinical
studies show that flaxseed supplements may help stop early
stage prostate cancer. And because flaxseed is rich in omega-3
fatty acids, it could also help lower the risk of developing colon
cancer. In one controlled clinical study, flaxseed lignans
minimized the stickiness and growth of breast cancer cells.
Flaxseed is also believed to reduce pre-cancerous colon polyps in
mice.
Since it contains good amount of antioxidants, flaxseeds have
proven to regulate blood pressure, reduce inflammations in the
body and even decrease bad cholesterol. It also helps regulate
triglycerides and at the same time helps in calcium absorption
which is also important for women who are in their menopausal
stage. It is known to reduce hot flashes too. Besides antioxidants,
it also contains fiber which prevents IBS, constipation and
diverticulitis. It has also been known to treat kidney diseases
which are related to lupus. For men, taking flaxseed supplements
can reduce the risk of having enlarged prostate and regulate
blood sugar.
Another great benefit from the antioxidants found in flaxseeds is
that it helps in anti-aging. It has also been found to protect the
body from free radicals and is a good ingredient in baked goods

and dishes. Flaxseeds are also great supplements which helps


children and pregnant women. As you see, flaxseeds are not only
rich in antioxidant but play a big part in improving ones health.
Athough the effects and anti-carcinogenic properties of flaxseed
are largely tested on animals, there was a small study comprised
of 15 men who were given a low-fat diet supplemented with
flaxseed. The study concluded that flaxseed minimized the growth
of benign prostate cells.
In a separate study, a group of 25 men with prostate cancer was
fed a low-fat diet along with ground flaxseed. The result, the lowfat diet coupled by flaxseed helped slow down the growth rate of
the cancer cell; it also increased the death rate of the cancerous
cells. The results also show that a flaxseed-enriched diet helps
minimize serum testosterone in men with prostate cancer.

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