Diet is a factor in determining whether you develop certain cancers. Nutrients in certain foods are thought to reduce your risk, while other components in foods may increase risk. Replacing unhealthy choices with healthier options may reduce your cancer risk as well as your risk for other diseases such as heart disease.
Nutrients
Foods containing fiber, folate, carotenoids, beta carotene, lycopene, vitamin D, vitamin C and selenium may decrease the risk for certain types of cancers. Taking calcium supplements, alpha-tocopherol supplements and selenium supplements also possibly lower the risk for getting some types of cancers, according to the World Cancer Research Fund.
Examples
Consuming non-starchy vegetables, allium vegetables, garlic, fruits and milk may also be beneficial, as well as curry powder, avocado, ginger, carrots and rosemary. Tea, green leafy vegetables, broccoli, flaxseed, grapes, soy, tomatoes and whole grains may lower your risk for cancer as well, according to Stanford University.
Cancer Types
Diet affects the risk only for certain cancers, not all of them. Cancer-fighting super foods may make a difference in your risk of bladder, breast, colon, endometrial, lung, mouth, throat, esophagus, pancreatic, prostate and stomach cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
Considerations
Particular foods may not make as much of a difference to your cancer risk as your total intake of fat and calories. Those who are obese are at greater risk for cancers of the esophagus, pancreas, colon, breast, endometrium and kidney. Non-dietary risk factors also exist for cancer, and these are more important than dietary risk factors in determining whether you get cancer.
Expert Insight
The World Cancer Research Fund recommends keeping your body fat down and maintaining a normal body weight, exercising every day, limiting the amount of high-fat and high-sugar foods you eat, making most of your diet plant-based and getting most of your nutrients through foods rather than supplements. The organization also advises limiting the amount of red and processed meats, salt and alcohol that you consume.
References
- "Fox News": 10 Cancer-Fighting Foods
- "Fox News": Six Foods That Fight Cancer
- World Cancer Research Fund: Summary: Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and the Prevention of Cancer
- Stanford University: 11 Cancer-Fighting Foods
- American Cancer Society: ACS Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention
