From Yahoo! News:
Cancer is a very scary topic, and unfortunately, almost all of us are affected by the disease in some way, whether we know someone who has or had it, or we’ve faced it ourselves.
“Eating healthy and making right lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of cancer,” says Adil Akhtar, MD, chief of Division of Palliative and End of Life Care at Michigan Health Professionals and director of Inpatient Clinical Services at Karmanos-McLaren Oakland Cancer Center. “A plant-based diet helps to reduce the risk of cancer due to the presence of compounds called phytochemicals. Eat a diet rich in fruits and vegetables with high-fiber content.”
Colleen Doyle, MS, RD, managing director of nutrition and physical activity for the American Cancer Society agrees, adding the synergy between many nutrients (vitamins, minerals, phytochemicals, and antioxidants) give the most protection. It’s also about keeping an eye on your weight, she says: “Another key issue is weight—if you don’t smoke, the most important thing you can do to reduce your risk of cancer is to watch your weight. So what you eat is important, but even more important is how much you eat.”
We’ve talked about the health benefits of broccoli, cauliflower, and other cruciferous veggies before, so it’s no surprise that they can help reduce your cancer risk, too. “These contain sulforaphane, a phytochemical that may reduce the risk of stomach, breast, and skin cancers,” Doyle says. The vegetables might also prevent esophageal, mouth, and pharyngeal cancers, Akhtar adds.
Doyle cautions that studies linking whole grains to reduced cancer risk are inconsistent, but they are higher in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals than refined grains, so that’s why there’s information out there that it may help prevent colon cancer. While the jury’s still out on a definitive answer, Doyle recommends adding whole grains to your diet anyway since it’s better for your overall health.
Story source: Yahoo! News.
Featured image credit: Yahoo! News.