No single food can act as a miracle pill or can prevent cancer, but the right combination of foods, which are scientifically approved may help make a difference -it is all about the science behind the diet in cancer.
A diet rich in Real foods: It is a whole, single-ingredient food. It is unprocessed, free from chemical additives and rich in nutrients. Not only this, it has all the enzymes, digestive juices and all the possible micronutrients absolutely compatible with the human body. Real whole foods are more a product of nature than a product of industry.
Examples of real foods are: Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, pulses, sprouts, unprocessed milk, and yogurt
However, since processed foods became popular, our diets have gradually shifted from real whole foods to ready to eat meals which are full of artificial colors, additives, and flavors. Nevertheless, it is not a difficult task to get back where you belong to, as this may help in preventing us from lifestyle diseases like cancer
The choice is yours!!! We are going to look from a scientific point of view at a few food products, functional foods or superfoods which may have an important role in the fight against cancer
Protein-rich foods:-
Highly nutritious, high biological value protein foods is important in building immunity and healing and preventing inflammation in the body and enables anabolism. Good quality protein foods like whey, eggs, milk, and milk products, soya, contain all essential amino acids which are readily absorbed in the body and prevent the proliferation of cancer cellsRecommendation:- 1 gm protein/kg ideal body weight for a healthy person
Citrus fruits :
Citrus Fruits are extremely rich in antioxidants like polyphenols and flavonoids and vitamin C, they not only increase the immunity of the body but fight against all free radicals which cause cell damage. Recommendation:- 2-3 servings of fruits in a day like an amla, guava, orange
Green teas :
Green Tea are a great cancer fighter, they contain polyphenols that are known to prevent the development of cancer in various tissues and cells. Recommendation:- 1-2 cups of green tea/ dayThe cruciferous and the leafy greens: have certain components like polyphenols and flavonoids which are extremely potent in the prevention and development of various cancers.
Recommendation:- 3-4 servings of vegetables/ day as a part of diet in cancer
Spices and herbs:
like turmeric, ginger and garlic contain naturally occurring chemical compounds like curcumin, gingerols, and allicin respectively which are anti inflammatory foods, they suppress the transformation and invasion of cancer cells in our body. Regular inclusions of these in our meals have proved to be highly beneficial for diet in cancer.
Berries and grapes :
Having a powerful antioxidant they deactivate the cancer-causing substances and slows the growth of cancer cells. Blackberries contain high levels of anthocyanins. Grapes contain lutein and zeaxanthin. These Antioxidants help people to fight against the adverse impact of free radicals in the body. Free radicals can damage cells and are thought to be closely involved in the aging process plus health conditions like role of Moringa in diet in cancer.
It increases immunity and has anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory properties. A study published in the Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention in 2017 found an extract of moringa leaves tested on several cancer cells, reduced cancer cell growth and promoted cell death recommendation:- 1 tsp/day. can be put on dals, soups, curries, buttermilk iron-rich foods Iron-rich foods like garden cress seeds, methi seeds, meat products along with vitamin C rich foods help in increasing hemoglobin levels which in turn increases the immunity of the body and makes the body disease resistant. Giloy:- It is a medicinal herb, which has anti-inflammatory properties. Giloy in juice form or tablets works wonders in boosting immunity