The term "superfoods" refers to foods that contain high amounts of nutrients that help fight diseases. While no one type of food can act as magic weapon against cancer, different foods working together in the body can help prevent cancer in powerful ways, reports MayoClinic.com. Foods that contain lots of antioxidants can neutralize substances called free radicals in the body before they can cause cancer.
Beans
Beans are good sources of cancer-fighting antioxidants, and beans that contain particularly high amounts of antioxidants include pinto beans, black beans, red beans and kidney beans, according to MayoClinic.com.
Nuts
Nuts such as almonds, walnuts, pecans, and pistachios provide significant amounts of antioxidants that can help prevent cancer, MayoClinic.com says. Two of those antioxidants--quercetin and campferol---may suppress cancer cells' growth, reports the Cancer Cure Foundation. Brazil nuts also contain the mineral selenium, which is especially effective at fighting prostate cancer, says the Cancer Cure Foundation.
Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli and red cabbage are rich in antioxidants that have been shown to reduce the risk of cancer, reports MayoClinic.com. Doctoroz.com says that cauliflower and Brussels sprouts also help prevent cancer.
Green Leafy Vegetables
A substance called chlorophyllin, found in green leafy vegetables such as spinach and kale, can help prevent cancer, says Doctoroz.com. MayoClinic.com says that spinach also contains high amounts of cancer-fighting antioxidants. People who eat green leafy vegetables have lower rates of stomach cancer than those who don't, according to the Cancer Cure Foundation.
Berries and Grapes
All types of berries or grapes that are red or blue in color can help prevent cancer, says Doctoroz.com, because they contain substances called phytochemicals that destroy cancer cells. The berries that offer the most antioxidants, MayoClinic.com says are blueberries, strawberries, cranberries, raspberries and blackberries. Grapes also contain reservatrol, a type of natural chemical that blocks the growth of cancer cells, Doctoroz.com says. The Cancer Cure Foundation reports that some berries and grapes are rich in ellagic acid, which can slow the growth process of cancerous tumors by blocking enzymes that are necessary for their growth.
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