28 Foods Against Cancer To Include In Your Diet

Not all health problems are avoidable, but you have more control over your health than you may think. Research shows that a large percentage of cancer-related deaths are directly linked to lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, a lack of exercise, and an unhealthy diet. Avoiding cigarettes, limiting alcohol, reaching a healthy weight, and getting regular exercise are a great start to preventing cancer. But to best support your health, you also need to look at  what you eat and your eating habits.

What you eat—and don’t eat—has a powerful effect on your health, including your risk of cancer. Without knowing it, you may be eating many foods that fuel cancer, while neglecting the powerful foods and nutrients that can protect you.

Here are 28 anti-cancer foods you may have been consuming already.

1. Berries
These contain antioxidants that reduce and repair the kind of damage to cells that can lead to cancer. When they’re not in season, choose frozen berries since they’re typically just as healthy as fresh.

2.  Tea
Tea has antioxidants called catechins that may block certain enzymes that lead to cancer. In animal research, stomach, liver and skin tumors shrank in mice fed green or black tea. Steeping tea for at least five minutes releases the most antioxidants.

3. Fatty Fish
Several studies have indicated that the mega-healthy components of fish – like omega-3 fatty acids – guard against cancer (just as they do against cardiovascular disease), but experts stress that more trials are necessary. Fatty fish like salmon, mackerel, herring, lake trout, sardines and albacore tuna are high in omega-3s.

4. Garlic
According to the American Institute for Cancer Research, garlic may lower your risk for colon cancer with compounds that block tumor formation and cancer cell growth in the colon.

5.  Nuts
All nuts may prevent cancer. Peanuts in particular have been linked to a lower rate of endometrial and colorectal cancers in women. The protective benefits of nuts most likely come from antioxidant compounds like acid and magnesium, according to research


6. Flaxseed
Researchers say the lignans, compounds that act like antioxidants, in this high-fiber seed may help reduce the growth and spread of breast cancer. Grind the seeds before eating (or buy ground instead of whole) to better absorb the nutrients.

8. Cruciferous Vegetables
Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli pack sulfur-containing compounds that may inhibit the growth of cancer cells. Studies have linked them to lower rates of lung, liver, colon, breast and endometrial cancer  

Sweet Potatoes
Beta-carotene, the antioxidant that gives potatoes (as well as carrots, cantaloupe and mangoes) their orange color, may help prevent the damage to cell membranes that leads to cancer.

9. Low-Fat Dairy
In recent research, premenopausal women who had at least one serving a day of low-fat yogurt or milk reduced their breast cancer risk. Most dairy products also contain vitamin D, which has been associated with lower risk for pancreatic and colorectal cancers.

10. Grapes
Red and purple grapes contain the same disease-fighting compound found in wine – resveratrol – which has been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells and block tumor formation in the liver, stomach and breast. Lycopene, the pigment that gives grapes their color, also boasts cancer-fighting properties.

11. Leafy Greens
Dark vegetables are loaded with folate, a B vitamin that helps repair damaged DNA that’s vulnerable to cancer. Some studies suggest it may guard against GI cancers in particular – and possibly breast cancer too.

12. Beans
Having meatless meals can slash your risk for cancer, so consider eating more beans (such as black, pinto, lima and kidney) as well as other legumes (like lentils and black-eyed peas). Postmenopausal women whose diets contain lots of beans have lower rates of invasive breast cancer.

13. Whole Grains
Compared with refined grains (like white bread and regular pasta), have much more fiber, which may protect against colorectal cancers because it helps move food through your digestive system faster. At least half of your daily grain servings should be whole grains. Remember always that moderation should always be the key in consuming these foods.

Other foods that have properties against cancer include:

14. Cinnamon
15.  Apples
16.  Tumeric
17.  Ginger
18.  Ginseng
19.  Avocadoes
20. Tomatoes
21.  Dark cocoa
22.  Lemons, limes and other citrus fruits
23.  Cauliflower
24.  Kale
25.  Olive oil
26.  Moringa Leaf Powder
27.  Cayenne pepper, black pepper and bell peppers
28. Carrots

The list can continue you may not find the particular ones in your region in this list.  This is inconclusive.