In: Anatomy and Physiology
Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide .
But studies suggest that simple lifestyle changes, such as following a healthy diet, could prevent 30–50% of all cancers .Growing evidence points to certain dietary habits increasing or decreasing cancer risk.
Food with risk of increasing cancer :
Sugar and refined carbs -
In particular, researchers have found that a diet that causes blood glucose levels to spike is associated with an increased risk of several cancers, including stomach, breast and colorectal cancers
In addition, higher levels of insulin and blood glucose can contribute to inflammation in your body. In the long term, this can lead to the growth of abnormal cells and possibly contribute to cancer
This may be why people with diabetes — a condition characterized by high blood glucose and insulin levels — have an increased risk of certain types of cancer
Meat :
Processed meat refers to meat that has been treated to preserve flavor by undergoing salting, curing or smoking. It includes hot dogs, ham, bacon, chorizo, salami and some deli meats.
Observational studies have found an association between consuming processed meat and an increased cancer risk, particularly colorectal cancer
Overcooked food : Excess buildup of these harmful compounds can contribute to inflammation and may play a role in the development of cancer and other diseases
Food with cancer fighting properties :
Observational studies have linked a higher consumption of vegetables with a lower risk of cancer
Many vegetables contain cancer-fighting antioxidants and phytochemicals.
For example, cruciferous vegetables, including broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage, contain sulforaphane, a substance that has been shown to reduce tumor size in mice by more than 50% .
Other vegetables, such as tomatoes and carrots, are linked to a decreased risk of prostate, stomach and lung cancer
A)Flaxseeds have been associated with protective effects against certain cancers and may even reduce the spread of cancer cells .
For example, one study found that men with prostate cancer taking 30 grams — or about 4 1/4 tablespoons — of ground flaxseed daily experienced slower cancer growth and spread than the control group .
Similar results were found in women with breast cancer
B) Garlic contains allicin, which has been shown to have cancer-fighting properties in test-tube studies
Other studies have found an association between garlic intake and a lower risk of specific types of cancer, including stomach and prostate cancer
C) There’s evidence that eating fresh fish can help protect against cancer, possibly due to healthy fats that can reduce inflammation.
A large review of 41 studies found that regularly eating fish reduced the risk of colorectal cancer by 12%