Breast Cancer: Top Natural Foods That Fight Breast Cancer Disease: Breast cancer is the type of cancer that forms in the cells of the breast, abnormal cells generally group together to form a tumor and is the most common disease diagnosed in women.
Every October is marked as Breast Cancer Awareness Month to raise awareness on how to prevent this deadly disease.
While checkups are important for breast cancer prevention, what you put into your body is also important.
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These are some natural foods that can help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
1.Leaf vegetables
Kale, arugula, spinach, mustard greens, and chard are just a few of the leafy greens that may have anti-cancer properties.
Green leafy vegetables contain carotenoid antioxidants, including beta-carotene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, the higher blood levels of which are associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
2. Fatty fish
Fatty fish, including salmon, sardines, and mackerel, are known for their impressive health benefits.
Some studies show that eating fatty fish can specifically reduce the risk of breast cancer due to its omega-3 fats, selenium, and antioxidants like canthaxanthin.
A large analysis of 26 studies in 883,000 people found that those with the highest intake of omega-3 seafood sources had up to 14% lower risk of breast cancer, compared to those who consumed the least amount.
Balancing your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio by consuming more fatty fish and fewer refined oils and processed foods can also help reduce your risk of breast cancer.
3. Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds help promote overall well-being, nuts are superfoods that can help you anytime along the path of fighting breast cancer. They are rich in fiber, rich in minerals and healthy fats. Walnuts, almonds, cashews, pumpkin seeds, apricot seeds are all healthy for the body.
4. Fermented dairy products
Cultured dairy products are yogurt, cottage cheese, goat milk, sour cream, kefir, etc. They are a great source of calcium and probiotics that help reduce the incidence of breast or ovarian cancer by 60%. Most dairy products today are loaded with hormones, antibiotics, pain relievers, and pesticide residues, so buying organic is important too.
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5 Carrots
According to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, of 33,000 women, those with the highest amount of carotenoids in their blood had an 18 to 28 percent lower risk of breast cancer.
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Carrots are packed with these cancer-fighting antioxidants, so you need to snack on some and add them to your diet.
6. Berries
Blueberries, black raspberries, cherries, and strawberries are easy to find and very effective. Taking fresh and unfrozen berries is very good for fighting cancer cells. Berries are the most beneficial fruits because they contain strong antioxidants that help prevent all cell damage that precedes cancer.
7. Beans
Beans are loaded with fiber, vitamins, and minerals. Specifically, its high fiber content can protect against breast cancer.
A study of 2,571 women found that high intake of beans reduced the risk of breast cancer by up to 20%, compared to low intake of beans.
Furthermore, in a study of 1,260 Nigerian women, those with the highest intake of beans had up to 28% lower risk of breast cancer, compared to those with the lowest intake.
8. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables, such as cauliflower, cabbage, and broccoli, can help lower your risk of breast cancer.
Cruciferous vegetables contain glucosinolate compounds, which your body can convert into molecules called isothiocyanates. These have significant anticancer potential.
In particular, a study in 1,493 women linked a higher total intake of cruciferous vegetables with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
9. Peaches, apples and pears
Fruits, specifically peaches, apples, and pears, have been shown to protect against breast cancer.
In a study of 75,929 women, those who ate at least 2 servings of peaches per week had up to a 41% lower risk of developing ER – breast cancer
While a single food is not guaranteed to keep one cancer free, changing your daily meal to include more of these foods can help fight breast cancer completely.
10. Herbs and spices
Herbs and spices like parsley, rosemary, oregano, thyme, turmeric, curry, and ginger contain plant compounds that can help protect against breast cancer. These include vitamins, fatty acids, and polyphenolic antioxidants.
For example, oregano contains the antioxidants carvacrol and rosmarinic acid, which according to test-tube studies exhibit significant anticancer effects against aggressive breast cancer cell lines.
Curcumin, the main active compound in turmeric, has also shown significant anticancer properties, as has apigenin, a flavonoid concentrated in parsley.
11. Sweet potatoes
Sweet potatoes, specifically, are rich in a specific carotenoid known as beta-carotene. One study found that women with the highest levels of beta-carotene in their blood had a 17 percent lower risk of developing certain types of breast cancer.
