There are a variety of cancer-preventing foods and drinks that you can consume. These foods and drinks are generally foods that are low in fat and calories but are rich in antioxidants that are useful for preventing the development of cancer cells in the body.
Cancer-preventing foods and drinks are actually similar to the intake recommended in a healthy diet, namely fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Consuming cancer-preventing foods and drinks is highly recommended, especially if you often eat foods with added chemicals, such as dyes, flavorings, and artificial preservatives.
Various Foods and Drinks to Prevent Cancer
Here are a variety of cancer-preventing foods and drinks that are good for you to consume:
1. Broccoli
Eating broccoli several times a week can lower your risk of developing cancer. This is because broccoli contains sulforaphane which is believed to be useful as an anticancer substance.
In one study, sulforaphane found to reduce the size and number of breast cancer cells by up to 75%, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
2. Garlic
Who would have thought, the sulfur content in garlic can prevent the formation of cancer cells, especially cancers that attack the digestive organs, such as stomach cancer, colon cancer, and esophageal cancer.
To get the maximum benefits of garlic, let the garlic that has been peeled and chopped first, let it sit for 15-20 minutes before cooking. This method can activate the enzymes in garlic and release compounds that can protect the body from cancer.
3. Turmeric
Turmeric is one of the kitchen spices that is well known for its health benefits, not least as a cancer-preventing food. Turmeric contains dates which are believed to inhibit the growth of cancer cells, slow the spread of cancer, and shrink tumors.
To feel the anticancer benefits of turmeric, you can consume –3 teaspoons of turmeric powder every day. You can do this by mixing turmeric into other food ingredients as a food flavor enhancer.
4. Berries
Groups of berries, such as strawberries and blueberries, rich in pigment anthocyanins which has antioxidant properties. These antioxidant properties are useful for fighting cancer-causing excess free radicals.
This is proven in a trial which states that berry extract can reduce the development of cancer cells by up to 7%.
5. Fish healthy fat
Eating certain types of fish, such as salmon, mackerel, and anchovies, has also been linked to a reduced risk of developing cancer. The reason, this variety of fish contains omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D which is believed to be able to inhibit the development of cancer cells.
By eating at least 2 servings of fish that are high in healthy fats each week, you can get a good dose of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin D to prevent cancer.
6. Tomato
The red color of tomatoes indicates that these vegetables are high in lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid compound that has strong antioxidant properties, so it can prevent and slow the development of several types of cancer, such as breast and prostate cancer.
In order to feel the benefits of tomatoes as a cancer-preventing food, you can add 2 tomatoes every day to your daily menu. For example, you can serve tomatoes as fresh vegetables when you eat fried chicken, make them an ingredient in chili sauce, or process them with green vegetables.
7. Grapes
An antioxidant compound called resveratrol contained in grapes has anticancer properties. To get the benefits, you can include grapes as an interlude for your healthy snack.
8. Green vegetables
Green leafy vegetables, such as spinach and lettuce, are good sources of beta-carotene and lutein. Research shows that eating foods rich in beta-carotene and lutein regularly can help inhibit the growth of certain types of cancer cells.
9. Green tea
Not only food, there are also cancer-preventing drinks, and one of them is green tea. This tea contains catechin antioxidants which can fight cancer-causing free radicals. To feel the benefits of green tea as a cancer prevention, you can consume 1 cup of this tea every day.
Eating cancer-preventing foods and drinks is important. However, this also needs to be followed by the implementation of other healthy lifestyles, such as exercising regularly, getting enough rest, managing stress well, and not smoking and limiting alcoholic beverages.
If you still have questions regarding the consumption of cancer-preventing foods and drinks, or are confused about which intake is suitable for your health condition, don't hesitate to consult a doctor.