6 Super-Foods that Fight Cancer and Prevent Cancer

Anthony Gucciardi
Natural Society

Lisa Garber
NaturalSociety
September 11, 2012

Prevention is key with natural health solutions, although we firmly believe that anyone can beat cancer with nutrition. It is said that at least half of all cancer cases can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as diet, which also just so happens to be one of the best methods in protecting yourself against cancer. Given the genetic evidence that antioxidants help treat and prevent cancer, it’s never too early to add these antioxidant superfoods and other foods that fight cancer into your daily diet.

Without further ado, here are 6 foods that fight cancer and prevent cancer.

1. Foods that Fight Cancer – Chocolate

Is chocolate good for you? Here’s one pleasure you don’t have to feel so guilty about—as long as you eat the right kind. Cocoa is full of antioxidants that fight free radicals, with unsweetened baking cocoa powder boasting an ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) value of 50,000 units per 100 grams. Your best bet is to go with moderate amounts of dark chocolate or homemade varieties. Making homemade chocolate is easier than you think.  Just add:

• 1 cup of coconut oil or clarified butter
• ¼ cup of maple syrup or honey
• ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ½ cup nut butter or flour

Mix the ingredients and add more cocoa or syrup as needed, pour into a container, cover, and throw into the refrigerator overnight. Be sure to eat in moderation!

2. Berries

Berries are among the most popular small group of foods that fight cancer. Although all berries have some antioxidants—as well as vitamins and even fiber—varieties highest in antioxidants are Himalayan goji berries and Acai berries, with 25,000 and 18,500 units per 100 grams respectively. But no matter which berry you choose, it is bound to harness incredible cancer-fighting capabilities. You can get berries year-round by stocking up and freezing them while they’re in season or buying dried varieties. Just be wary of their added sugar content.

3. Green Tea

Truly a drink of longevity, green tea has been found in numerous studies to prevent and even reverse cancer. One study involving over 40,000 Japanese subjects—with gender, age, and lifestyles taken into consideration—found that drinking five cups of green tea daily reduced the risk of blood cancers by 42 percent and lymph cancers by 48 percent. The other health benefits of green tea include weight loss, prevention of heart disease, management of cholesterol, and protection against neurological diseases.

4. Turmeric

This spice has been getting a lot of attention lately, and with good reason. Not only is it being studied for its detoxing properties and possible efficacy at preventing neurodegenerative diseases, turmeric is being studied as a cancer-fighter – and a powerful one at that. It’s been found to reduce tumors by 81 percent, while UCLA researchers say it even blocks cancer growth. To harness the benefits of turmeric, brew a tea, add to almost any egg or lentil dish, or sprinkle over grilled meat (it reduces the amount of carcinogens released during the grilling process). Additionally, you could purchase a high quality turmeric supplement.

5. Pistachios

These nuts have been attributed with preventing diabetes, offering overall protection from free radicals, preventing heart disease, and -you guessed it – even preventing cancer. The American Association for Cancer Research published a study that found individuals who ate 2 ounces of pistachios daily for four weeks experienced greater levels of gamma-tocopherol.  Gamma-tocopherol is a variety of vitamin E and helps protect against cancers, such as of the lungs.

6. Garlic

Garlic contains hydrogen sulfide, and researchers at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine report that injecting hydrogen sulfide into mice stopped the damage a heart attack has on heart muscles. They believe that it’s the same component that allows garlic to prevent cancer, especially of the prostate, breast, and colon. Garlic is drool-inducing in many dishes, so you might as well start experiencing the benefits of garlic today.

Don’t wait; start incorporating foods that fight cancer into your daily life today.

Additional Sources:

The Telegraph