5 Superfoods that Aid in Cancer Prevention

There was an old saying, “you are what you eat” – right? But who knew that the foods you eat could play an important role in the likelihood of you developing a disease like cancer? In an era where almost everything you do could be linked to a higher risk of cancer, it can be easy to lose track of what can actually reduce your risk. With cancer being the leading cause of death in this country, we have compiled a list of superfoods that can help keep the cancer at bay.

Tomatoes

tomato
Serving: 1 cup, 32 calories

Why are tomatoes red? It could be due to more than just the fact that “it saw the salad dressing”; Tomatoes are packed with phytochemicals called lycopene, which give them their signature red hue. Lycopene has cancer fighting properties, and good news for you, gentlemen, it protects especially against prostate cancer.

And before you rush to the produce section to pick up a basket full of fresh tomatoes, some research shows that processed forms of the fruit actually provide better nutrient absorption, and could bear increased cancer fighting potential. So instead of biting into a fresh juicy tomato, try opting for tomato soup or tomato sauce once in a while to get the most nutrients out of the fruit.

Blueberries

blueberries

Serving: 1 cup, 84 calories

Blueberries are truly a terrific, cancer-fighting berry – and they’re delicious too! Packed with phytochemicals called anthocyanins, which give them their antioxidant properties. These little blue fruits can fight free radicals and prevent cancer, as well as fight age related memory loss! By adding them to your daily life, you’ll be getting more vitamin C, vitamin K, manganese and dietary fiber. All of this will contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

Beans

assortment of beans

Serving: 1/2 cup, 112 calories

Beans, beans the magical fruit, the more you eat the more you toot, the more you toot the better you feel. Fortunately, beans will make you feel better for more reasons than just that one. They’re an excellent source of fiber, which will keep things moving through your body at a good pace and help prevent against colorectal cancer.

They’re also great for vegans and vegetarians alike – they provide a good source of plant based protein. Beans are high in folate – or vitamin B9 – which has been known to decrease the risk of pancreatic cancer. This is due to folate’s ability to repair damaged cells and aid in healthy cell division.

Garlic

garlic

Serving: 1 clove, 5 calories

Dracula might not be the only thing that garlic helps keep away. A component in garlic called diallyl disulfide has been known to aid in the prevention of skin cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Studies from the National Cancer institute found that the compound was also able to kill leukemia cells. However, scientists still don’t know what the effects will be outside of the lab.

Garlic is a healthy way to spruce up any meal, as it enhances other flavors and in turn can reduce your daily salt intake.

Dark Leafy Greens

leafy greens

Serving: 1 cup, 33 calories (kale), 7 calories (spinach and swiss chard), 11 calories (collard greens)

Here at the Daily Grind Fitness, we save the best for last, which is why dark leafy greens have made their debut at the end of our list. The most versatile, tasty, and easy-to-prepare food on this list, leafy greens are an umbrella term for a huge assortment of green vegetables. Some of our favorites include, spinach, kale, collards and Swiss chard.

Not only can they be used for the base of any salad or thrown into a breakfast smoothie, these veggies are high in fiber, folate and carotenoids which can aid in the prevention of certain cancers.

Carotenoids, which act as antioxidants, play a large role in the prevention of mouth, pharynx and larynx cancers. Certain research also shows that carotenoids in dark, leafy vegetables can slow the growth of skin cancer cells, breast cancer cells and lung and stomach cancer.

And that’s not all! By munching on these veggies every day you’ll be getting your daily dose of fiber, which can help prevent against colorectal cancer.

grocery list

Add a few of these superfoods to your grocery list for the next time to shop, because each of them can prevent an array of illnesses, including heart disease and obesity. Please note that food isolation cannot effectively prevent cancer or other diseases. A healthy lifestyle must include balance, and a large variety of fruits and vegetables is a key part of that. The foods on this list are all alkaline, and by adhering to a diet of 80% alkaline foods and 20% acidic foods, you will be doing a great deal to keep your body alkaline and keep illnesses at bay.

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Keep Grind’N!