The Office of National Statistics in the UK estimates that 1 in 3 people will be diagnosed with cancer during their lives. There are hundreds of different cancers, which can affect the cells and tissues in the body. Cancer occurs when cells grow and divide uncontrollably and are able to invade other tissues. Research and studies indicate that certain fruits and vegetables may play a role in preventing cancer.
Broccoli and Cabbage
Plant compounds in cruciferous, or Brassica, vegetables can help reduce the risk of cancer, according to Herr and Büchler in the August 2010 issue of "Cancer Treatment Reviews." Brassica vegetables specifically contain glucosinolates. Hayes and colleagues in the May 2008 issue of the "European Journal of Nutrition" review the many ways that glucosinolates protect against cancer including inhibiting cancer cell proliferation and causing the cancer cells to die. They also indicate that the Brassica family may have a role in protecting against cancer of the lung and the digestive tract.
Grapes
Red grapes and other foods contain the natural product resveratrol. Hsieh and colleagues in the July 2010 issue of "Biofactors" reviewed the data for resveratrol and its role in protecting against a number of cancers. They suggest that resveratrol has a novel role in controlling cell pathways involved in cancer. Kaur and colleagues in the September 2009 issue of "The Journal of Nutrition" reviewed the potential of grapes and grape-based products as anticancer agents in skin, colon and breast cancers. They suggest that grapes and grape products are sources of anticancer agents and, therefore, may be beneficial to the general population.
Citrus Fruits
Bae and colleagues in the December 2008 issue of the journal "Gastric Cancer" revealed that pooled results from a number studies demonstrate that citrus fruits protect against stomach cancer. Benavente-García and colleagues in a December 2007 article in "Current Cancer Drug Targets" discuss the role of citrus flavonoids in cell pathways involved in cancer, indicating that the antioxidant and anti-proliferative properties of citrus flavonoids may play a role in their anticancer effect.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain large amounts of lycopene. Salman and colleagues in the July 2007 issue of "Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy" indicate that lycopene can stop cancer cells from dividing and cause cell death. Tomatoes could, therefore, may help in preventing cancers.
References
- "European Journal of Nutrition"; The Cancer Chemopreventative Actions of Phytochemicals Derived From Glucosinalates; JD Hayes, et al.; May 2008
- "Pharmacology Research"; Cruciferous Vegetables and Human Cancer Risk: Epidemiologic Evidence and Mechanistic Basis; Higdon JV, et al.; March 2007
- "Biofactors"; Resveratrol: Biological and Pharmaceutical Properties as a Anticancer Molecule; Hsieh T, et al.; July 2010
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Anticancer and Chemopreventative Potential of Grape Seed Extract and Other Grape-Based Products; Kaur M et al.; September 2009
- "Gastric Cancer"; Citrus Fruit Intake and Stomach Cancer Risk: A Quantiative Systematic Review; Bae J-M, et al.; 2008
- "Current Cancer Drug Targets"; Benefical Action of Citrus Flavinoids on Multiple Cancer- Related Biological Pathways; Benavente-García O, et al.; December 2007
