There is an array of brightly colored anti-cancer causing foods that contain properties such as antioxidants, protease inhibitors, omega-3 fatty acids and phytochemicals. These properties help eliminate free radicals, slow down the division of unhealthy cells and inhibit tumor growing cells, which will lower your risk for developing certain types of cancer, according to Stanford Medicine.
Broccoli
Broccoli contains phytochemicals and flavenoids, both of which help your cells resist cancer. Flavenoids are the properties that give fruits and vegetables their pigment and are rich in anti-cancer causing properties. Broccoli is considered a cruciferous vegetable, which contains phytochemicals that lower your risk for lung, prostate, bladder and stomach cancer, reports True Health.
Beans
All beans contain compounds called protease inhibitors that help prevent cancerous cells from affecting nearby tissue. Phytochemicals in beans help to slow down or prevent damage to cells that cause cancer. Beans have been found to reduce the risk of prostate cancer, according to the Stanford Prevention Research Center.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene. Diets high in lycopene have been shown to reduce prostate cancer. It has also been discovered that lycopene from tomatoes is better absorbed by your body when it has been processed into juice, sauce or paste, reports the Stanford Prevention Research Center.
Carrots
Caretenoids, which include beta-carotene that gives carrots their color, are responsible for the anti-cancer action it has in your cells. Falcarinol is an anti-cancer compound in carrots that is more effective when carrots are cooked whole instead of sliced. Other anti-cancer properties in carrots are known to reduce your risk for cervical, bladder, colon and breast cancer in post-menopausal women, according to Foods That Heal.
Berries
All berries are full of antioxidants that help lower your risk for cancer. Darker berries such as blueberries and blackberries are richer in antioxidants. Phytochemicals called anthocyanosides are present in blueberries and is known to be the most powerful antioxidant to prevent cancer, according to the Stanford Prevention Research Center.
Garlic
Garlic helps regulate blood sugar levels that reduce insulin production. Low insulin levels in your blood cells help to prevent tumor-growing cells. Garlic is known to reduce the risk for breast and prostate cancer. A phytonutrient in garlic called diallyl disulfide helps prevent cancer of the lung, skin and colon. Diallyl disulfide also helps to kill leukemia cells, according to Foods That Heal.
Whole Grain Foods
Whole grain foods are rich in antioxidants, phytoestrogens and fiber. When consumed on a regular basis, your risk for most cancers is lowered, reports the Stanford Prevention Research Center.
Sea Food
Coldwater fish such as tuna, lake trout, salmon and sardines contain omega-3 fatty acids, which have been discovered to reduce tumor development in breast and prostate cancer. Consuming three to four servings of fish per week will provide you with the omega-3s and help provide the protection your body needs to reduce cancer risk, according to Stanford Medicine.
Soy Beans
Soy beans contain an antioxidant called safonins that protect your cells from cancer. They also contain protease inhibitors, which have an anti-tumor effect. Phytoestrogens in soy beans help to prevent prostate, uterine, breast and ovarian cancer, reports How Cure Cancer.
Mushrooms
Properties in mushrooms stimulate the healthy activity of immune cells, which help to prevent cancer. Reishi, shiitake and maitake mushrooms contain a substance known as 1,3-beta-glucan, which is known to slow the growth of tumors in animals, according to Foods That Heal. White button mushrooms also contain selenium, which lowers your risk for stomach, lung, colon and prostate cancer, according to Foods That Heal.
