Cancer-Fighting Super Foods

As we discussed last week, eating raw, healthy foods can really help cleanse the body of toxins and improve your overall health. However, certain foods, which we like to call "superfoods," are especially good for specific areas of our health. This week, we're discussing the nation’s second most deadly disease, cancer.

There are certain nutrient-rich foods that are known to help reduce cancer risk.  For example, a diet rich in fiber, vegetables, and fruits, including juices made from 100 percent fruit juice, can make a big difference in your cancer risk.

Studies show that compounds found in broccoli may help in the prevention of cancer (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Foods rich in phytochemicals, which are found in beans and cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, brussels sprouts, and kale, are strong choices. So are dark green leafy vegetables like spinach, romaine lettuce, and collard greens, which are packed with fiber, lutein, and carotenoids - all cancer-fighting substances.

Focus on choosing foods that have abundant amounts of vitamins C, E, and A, all antioxidants themselves. These help protect you from cancer by preventing the growth of free radicals in your body.

Tomatoes are an awesome cancer-fighting superfood. Not only do tomatoes contain lycopene, the antioxidant phytochemical that also helps prevent heart disease, but they're a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, all which do battle against cancer-causing free radicals.  Add them to your salad or use as a topping on your homemade pizza. They’re also a great way of adding some zest to your favorite sandwich.

Watermelon is also stuffed full of antioxidants, and includes a high percentage of vitamin C. It is also a great source of vitamin A, or beta carotene. And like tomatoes, it also contains lycopene.

Cabbage is a cruciferous vegetable, which helps reduce the risk of colon and rectal cancer. Plus cabbage is rich in fiber and has almost 50 percent of daily requirement of vitamin C, making it a well-rounded superfood with cancer-fighting power. Carrots are also a wonderful source of fiber and beta carotene, and they have about three times the daily requirement of vitamin A.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Strawberries and blueberries are rich in vitamin C and fiber. They’re quick and simple finger food, and can easily be added to your favorite whole grain cereal oatmeal or yogurt for a healthy and delicious breakfast.

Did you know that one-quarter cup of kidney beans has the same amount of fiber and protein as two ounces of red meat? Whole wheat pasta is also a good source of fiber, and broccoli will tip the daily scales for your daily vitamin A and C needs. Toss them all together with your favorite Italian dressing with real olive oil, for a simple dinner with great cancer-fighting properties.

You can lower your risk of diseases like cancer - just by choosing the right foods to eat. Your health is in your hands - take control, and make easy, delicious healthy choices that improve your odds of living a long, healthy life. Next week, we'll discuss some super-foods that may help combat another of the most deadly modern diseases - Alzheimer's disease.

5 Of The Healthiest Fruits And Vegetables

“We are what we eat”, or so the saying goes - which is why the foods you eat are so important to your health. Different foods help our bodies to grow, to heal, and to keep the immune system running properly. More than that, they stop our bodies from falling apart: the absence of many different nutrients can lead to various physical ailments.* It’s really important to eat healthily - and fruits and vegetables are some of the healthiest foods you can eat, so let’s look at five of the best fruits and vegetables to include in your diet.

Broccoli (Photo credit: wanko)

Broccoli: Green vegetables are widely considered among the healthiest foods we can eat, and broccoli is definitely one of the most nutrient-rich green vegetables. It’s a great source of vitamins C and K, as well as folate, vitamin B and fiber. In addition, it contains potassium, vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6, protein and calcium.

Broccoli can assist in lowering cholesterol levels which improves cardiovascular health. It supports the body’s detoxification system, aids vitamin D uptake and may also reduce our susceptibility to certain allergies.

Spinach: Spinach is one of the best green vegetables for your health. It contains a huge quantity of nutrients, and offers several specific health benefits.  Among the most concentrated nutrients are magnesium, folate, iron, potassium, calcium, vitamin E, protein and zinc.

Spinach may help reduce the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer. It’s also an anti-inflammatory, meaning it may help reduce our susceptibility to allergies. The vitamin K, magnesium and calcium content of spinach is good for maintaining healthy bones and there are also antioxidants in spinach that help remove harmful free radicals from the body.

Peas: Green peas are another fantastic source of nutrients. They contain a huge range of nutrients in high quantities, including manganese, fiber, vitamin K and C, phosphorus, protein, copper, iron and zinc.

Peas can help to regulate blood sugar levels thanks to their fiber and protein content. Fiber and protein slow down the pace of digestion, which also means that carbohydrates are digested more slowly too. Peas are also known to reduce the chance of developing cardiovascular disease and to help protect against stomach cancer.

Blueberries. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Blueberries: Blueberries have a low glycemic index (GI) which means they have a low impact on our blood sugar levels., so you won’t get a sugar rush from eating blueberries. Eating foods with a low glycemic index is also believed to reduce the risk of developing type-II diabetes as well as coronary heart disease.

Blueberries are also a very rich source of antioxidants, which are thought to help reduce the risk of developing cancer. They are a good source of vitamin K, manganese and vitamin C too, placing them high on the nutrient-density scale.

Apples: Apples are a fantastic source of fiber which helps promote a healthy digestive system. This also aids in the regulation of blood sugar levels. They are also a great source of vitamin C. Although apples aren’t as nutrient-rich as some other fruits and vegetables, they are thought to have both anti-cancer and anti-asthma properties. In addition, they’re good for cardiovascular health.


*Please Note: Information on this blog is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as medical advice. Health claims above are not verified by the FDA.