7. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are edible fungi that are relished across the world for their aromatic flavours and tastes. However, mushrooms are one of the best and most delicious anti-cancer foods. Mushrooms are loaded with anti-allergic, nephroprotective, antimicrobial, anticancer and various immunity boosting properties. Mushrooms also contain hispolon, krestin, lentinan and calcaelin – anti-cancer compounds that help in battling with lung, breast, colon, prostate and other kinds of cancer.
How Much And How Often to Consume
Add half or one cup of this edible fungi in your diet every alternate day. It is best to have them in their raw form, however, if you find them non-palatable, you can sauté them with some oil and salt.
8. Cinnamon
Cinnamon is an aromatic spice that is used in many culinary preparations for its distinctive aroma and flavour. However, this spice is also great for keeping cancer at bay. Cinnamon contains carbohydrates, essential oils, and tannins. All these compounds have anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-oxidant properties.
How Much And How Often to Consume
Cinnamon can be consumed in its original form or in powdered form. Consume ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder or 1/4 inch of cinnamon stick on a daily basis. You can consume cinnamon mixed with tea or you can infuse it in water, keep it overnight and drink the water the next morning.
9. Cherries
This small red fruit offers enormous health benefits and when it comes to keeping cancer at bay, cherries can prove to be of great benefit. Cherries have a bright red colour, which is due to the presence of anthocyanin. Anthocyanin is a kind of flavonoid that helps to slow down the production of cancerous cells. Cherries are also loaded with vitamin A, vitamin C and other vital nutrients which are loaded with anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties. All these properties make cherries an ideal fruit to be consumed to keep cancer at bay.
How Much And How Often to Consume
Including half a cup of cherries in your daily diet may prove to be helpful. You can add them to your breakfast cereal, a shake or have them in their original form.
10. Citrus Fruits
Lemons, oranges, grapefruits and other such fruits come in the category of citrus fruits. These fruits are loaded with cancer-fighting properties. All kinds of citrus fruits are loaded with vitamin C, which is a powerful antioxidant. Apart from this citrus fruits also contain polymethoxyflavones, a compound that prevents and inhibits angiogenesis, cancer metastasis and pro-apoptotic molecules.
How Much And How Often to Consume
It is safe to consume approximately 70 to 90 mg of citrus on a daily basis. You can consume citrus fruits in their raw form, as juice or as lemonade.
11. Ginger
Ginger lends a strong flavour and aroma to many culinary preparations but this root vegetable is also effective in the prevention of cancer. Ginger contains proactive components like shogaol and gingerol that help in suppressing the growth of tumour and cancer cells. Ginger is also beneficial in reducing cancer-related inflammations.
How Much And How Often to Consume
You may consume half an inch of ginger root on a daily basis. Though the best way to consume ginger root is it in its original form, you can add it to your food and beverages too.
12. Flax seeds
Flax seeds are tiny powerhouses of vitamins and minerals. They are also beneficial in hindering the growth of cancerous cells. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside and lignin are two vital components that are present in these seeds that get converted into enterodiol and enterolactone. Both of these components help in reducing the growth of cancer cells. The presence of alpha-linolenic acid also hampers the growth and progression of cancer cells.
How Much And How Often to Consume
You can safely consume 1 to 2 tsp of flaxseeds on a daily basis. You can eat them as is or mix them in your morning cereal, salads or shakes.
13. Tomatoes
Red pulpy tomatoes are great for keeping cancer at bay! Tomatoes contain substantial amounts of lycopene, which not only helps in cancer cell apoptosis but it also hampers the proliferation of these cells.
How Much And How Often to Consume
You should consume 1 to 2 tomatoes in a day in their fresh and juicy form.
14. Tea
Green, black, red or white, all varieties of tea are helpful in reducing the chances of cancer in humans. The presence of polyphenols like ECG (epicatechin gallate), EC (epicatechin) and EGCG (epigallocatechin gallate) help in scavenging the oxygen radicals that are responsible in mutating the healthy DNA into a cancerous one.
How Much And How Often to Consume
You can consume 3 to 5 cups of green tea. It is best to drink green tea without milk and sugar.
15. Ghee
Ghee or clarified butter is a widely used cooking medium in South East Asia and India. Ghee also has much therapeutic relevance in Ayurveda too. Ghee is effective in nullifying the adverse effects of cancer-causing enzymes.
How Much And How Often to Consume
Adding 1 to 2 tsp of ghee in a daily diet is advisable, however, it is recommended not to overheat it.
The above-mentioned list of foods can prove to be helpful in preventing various kinds of cancer. Try and include them in your diet to get maximum benefits!