Breast cancer fighting foods to add to your diet

Cancer is one of the most serious diseases that a person can face.  Research shows that healthy eating habits can not only help you lose weight but can also help fight breast cancer.

This is beneficial because while you’re making sure that you are eating right, you are also making sure that you are decreasing your chances of getting breast cancer.

It is very important for women to know what is normal in their bodies and to be aware of the symptoms of breast cancer.  We encourage women to make sure that they are aware of and how to assist in combating breast cancer.

Gert Coetzee, Pharmacist and Diet pioneer who founded The Diet Everyone Talks About, gives us a round-up of foods that added to your diet can decrease your chances of getting breast cancer.

Pomegranates:  According to U.S. scientists from the City of Hope’s Beckman Research Institute, the crunchy seeds of a pomegranate contain ellagic acid (natural phenol antioxidant) which is a potent antioxidant that may inhibit an enzyme that plays a role in breast cancer development. ₁

Sprinkle pomegranate seeds on any dessert or simply squeeze out the pomegranate juice and drink it.

Mushrooms:  Mushrooms block aromatase which is a protein that is linked to most breast cancers.  A higher mushroom intake is therefore associated with a lower risk of breast cancer amongst women according to a study published in Nutrition and Cancer in 2010. ₂

Toss some fresh mushrooms in your everyday meals stir fries, lasagne or soup to add key nutrients with no fat.

Eggs:  Eggs contain choline (a water-soluble vitamin) which is associated with a 24% reduced risk of breast cancer according to a US study which involved more than 3 000 women. ₃

Eggs can be scrambled, used to make an omelette, poached or enjoyed as a sunny-side up with some veggies on the side.

Blueberries:  Research shows that blueberries contain pterostilbene (a naturally occurring compound) which can halt the growth of breast cancer tumours by causing cancerous cells to self-destruct. ₄

Layer blueberries, low-fat vanilla yoghurt and low fat granola to make a delicious snack or top any cereal or oatmeal with some fresh blueberries.

Salmon:  Salmon is one of the few foods that contain vitamin D which is known to prevent cells from becoming cancerous.  According to researchers at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital, the increased intakes of vitamin D were associated with a 24 percent reduction in the risk of developing breast cancer. ₅

Salmon can be enjoyed with a nice salad or just boiled vegetables.

Plums & Peaches:  Plums and peaches contain two types of antioxidants that may help kill breast cancer cells according to researchers at Texas & AM. ₆

Include peach and plum slices in any dessert, cereal, oatmeal or just simply have them as a snack.

Spinach:  According to a study in the American Journal of Epidemiology, the vitamin B in spinach is necessary for proper cell division which helps in reducing the chances of getting breast cancer. ₇

Use fresh spinach as a wrap by placing grilled chicken in a spinach leaf and dipping that into any sauce or toss it into any salad.  Spinach can also be enjoyed with scrambled eggs or in an omelette.

Walnuts:  Walnuts contain omega-3s, antioxidants and phytosterols (molecules related to cholesterol) which may help slow down the growth of cancer cells.

Make a breakfast bowl of cooked oatmeal topped with walnuts and vanilla yoghurt or toss some walnuts in any fruit or vegetable salad.

Rye Bread:  Finnish scientists determined that rye bread contains fibre, vitamins and minerals that make it a breast cancer fighter. ₈

Enjoy a hearty meal of rye bread and some vegetable soup or make a sandwich filled with cheese, bacon, avocado slices and mushrooms.

Apples:  Apple peel is a rich source of antioxidants, fibre and other compounds needed for anti-cancer nutrition which means that it’s advisable for you not to peel your apples when you eat them.

Slice and enjoy your apples with some peanut butter or just crunch into a delicious whole apple after a meal.

For more information you can visit www.the-diet.co.za.

References:

₁ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/3/

₂ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/

₃ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/8/

₄ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/6/

₅ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/9/

₆ http://www.eatingwell.com/nutrition_health/immunity/9_foods_for_breast_cancer_prevention?page=7

₇ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/7/

₈ http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-you/girlfriends-guide/10-foods-that-fight-breast-cancer/10/