The National Cancer Institute estimates that roughly one-third of all cancer deaths may be diet related. What you eat can hurt you, but it can also help you.
More often than not, when people hear the words “super foods,” they think about tasteless and boring foods. But thanks to bloggers like My New Roots and Iowa Girl Eats, you can still eat healthy without sacrificing flavor. The foods and recipes below have the ability to help stave off cancer and some can even help inhibit cancer cell growth or reduce tumor size. So eat up!
Check out this recipe for Kale Salad with Grapes and Poppy Seed Dressing from My New Roots. Kale contains two antioxidants, lutein and zeaxanthin, that may help decrease prostate and other cancers. Kale also has indoles, nitrogen compounds which may help stop the conversion of certain lesions to cancerous cells in estrogen-sensitive tissues. In addition, isothiocyanates, phytochemicals found in kale, are thought to suppress tumor growth and block cancer-causing substances from reaching their targets, according to the The Cancer Cure Foundation.
This Black Bean and Sweet Potato Soup is another great recipe from My New Roots. Sweet potatoes contain many anticancer properties, including beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.
Or, if you’re looking for something a little more on the hearty side, check out this Super Food Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette from Iowa Girl Eats. It’s loaded with avocados, pomegranate seeds, among other things. Avocados are rich in glutathione, a powerful antioxidant that attacks free radicals in the body by blocking intestinal absorption of certain fats. They also supply even more potassium than bananas and are a strong source of beta-carotene. Scientists also believe that avocados may also be useful in treating viral hepatitis (a cause of liver cancer), as well as other sources of liver damage.
What is your favorite super food?
