There are several foods that can be included in the daily diet in various ways that help prevent cancer, the main ingredients of fruits and vegetables, as well as foods rich in omega-3 and selenium.
The anticancer action of these foods is mainly because they possess a powerful antioxidant action in the body, protecting cells from damage caused by free radicals while delaying inhibition of their oxidation and also preventing mutations. in the DNA of cells, that promote tumor formation.
Some of the foods that can help prevent cancer, as long as they are included in a healthy and varied diet:
Broccoli is rich in sulforaphans and glucosinolates, substances that act as antioxidants protecting cells from changes in DNA at the time of multiplication, these foods also help control apoptosis, which is the programmed change of cells when they have a defect in their functioning.
In addition to broccoli, other vegetables are rich in these substances, such as hummingbird, cabbage, Brussels sprouts, arugula and turnip, and we recommend consuming an additional 5 portions of these vegetables per week.
Some scientific studies suggest that consuming this type of food may reduce the risk of different types of cancer, mainly stomach, lung, colon and breast cancer.
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, one of the most potent antioxidants for the body and have the greatest proven effects on cancer prevention in general, especially in prostate cancer.
Lycopene is present at the highest concentration in parsley or tomato paste, providing 55. 45 mg lycopene per 100 grams, the difference between raw tomato is 9. 27 mg and tomato yogurt is 10. 77 mg; and its absorption is greater when the tomato is cooked. This substance is a carotenoid that gives color to red foods such as tomatoes, red guava, sand, kaki, papaya, pumpkin and red pepper. Enjoy other benefits for tomato health.
Green, brown, pink or blue colors rich in anthocyanins, substances that also act as antioxidants and protect cellular DNA from alterations, as well as anti-inflammatory action and prebiotic effects on the body.
These substances are present in foods such as: purple cabbage, purple head, eggplant, spicyradish, beetroot or beetroot; as well as fruits such as aza, raspberry, blackberry, blueberry, strawberry, cherry, grape and plum.
Brazil nut is rich in selenium, a nutrient that acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body and as a stimulant of the immune system, participating in various processes that improve cellular function and energy production in the body, in addition, this mineral has an antioxidant effect on the body, preventing the formation of free radicals.
As part of breast cancer, selection helps prevent liver, prostate and bladder cancer, and is also present in foods such as: meats, poultry, broccoli, onion, cucumber, cabbage and shellfish.
It is green and rich in phenolic compounds, mainly flavonoids and catechins, which act as antioxidants and anti-inflammatory, stimulating cellular apoptosis, which is the programmed change of cells that have certain defects in their functioning.
In addition, catechins can possibly reduce the proliferation of blood vessels, reduce tumor growth, prevent various types of cancer, mainly prostate, gastrointestinal, breast, lung, ovary and bladder cancer.
Catechins are present in green and also in white, which come from the same green plant, Camellia sinensis. Learn more about other green properties and how to prepare them.
Soybeans and their derivatives, such as tofu and soy drink, are rich in phytoestrogens called substances, used as estrogen, a hormone naturally produced by women since adolescence.
In this way, phytoestrogens compete with the hormone estrogen, provided that there is a better hormonal balance, preventing the development of cancer cells, an important advice to obtain these benefits is to prefer the consumption of organic soya, which is produced pesticide-free in food additives.
However, it is important to mention that in people at high risk of breast cancer and estrogen-dependent tumors these phytoestrogen-rich foods should be avoided, as some studies have suggested that they may modulate the risk of developing this type of cancer. what these foods are.
Water salad fish, such as tuna, sardines and salmon, are rich in omega 3, a healthy fat that acts as an anti-inflammatory in the body. In addition, fish also contains vitamin D, which is linked to better regulation and hormone prevention. breast, colon and rectal cancer.
Learn more about the importance of vitamin D.