“Food has the power to heal us. It is the most potent tool we have to help prevent and treat many chronic diseases.” ~ Dr. Mark Hyman
The benefits of healthy and balanced diet are numerous. It does not only help you to maintain a healthy weight, but it also influences your susceptibility of getting ill. A balanced diet goes a long way in ensuring good health, strengthening the immune system which helps to increase resistance against various chronic diseases.
Cancer is one of the leading cause of death worldwide which has killed around 10 million people in 2020. While there is no evidence that food can provide protection or cure for cancer, there are research that indicate that certain organic foods can help reduce the risk factor of developing cancer.
As per the recommendation from the American Cancer Society, five daily intakes of vegetables and fruits would help to maintain the correct body weight and helps to stay healthy. Similarly, scientists believe that foods containing phytochemicals are beneficial for reducing that risk of developing cancer. These foods are dubbed as cancer fighting foods.
Phytochemicals are plant made compounds that can be found in grains, vegetables, and fruits. With a single trip to the grocery store, you can get all the cancer fighting foods that may be beneficial for mitigating and even preventing any cancerous growth in your body. However, right amount of these dietary items is essential as excess consumption of any nutrient can have adverse effects on health.
So, which of the organic foods are deemed as cancer fighting foods? Below is the list of the foods that, along with a balanced diet, can help you have lesser chances of getting cancer.
1. An Apple A Day Keeps The Doctor Away!
Yes, you read it right! Apples are rich in polyphenols. Polyphenols are produced by plants that contain anti-cancer properties. They help to control cardiovascular diseases, reduce inflammation, and prevent infections. Research proves that the polyphenols in apples help to fight against tumor growth in the body without causing any negative impact on healthy or normal cells of the body.
2. Potatoes
While potatoes are usually condemned as obesity causing food, a finding by USDA Economic Research Service proved that the way potato is being consumed is usually in the form of chips or fries, which is detrimental for health. A single, small, boiled potato contains as many nutrients as a large banana and are a good source of regular body needs of nutrients like potassium and magnesium. Potatoes contains phytochemicals like flavonoids that help to prevent cancerous growth within one’s body. With the skin kept and minimum quantity of things added for flavor, calorie count of the potato in take can be kept in check which provides amazing results for health.
3. Asparagus
Asparagus is one of the cancer fighting food. Like potato, it contains flavonoids which are gaining more attention from the scientists because of their anti-cancer properties.