Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods

Our daily diet reflects on our health! What we eat has a profound effect on our life and it's protection against diseases such as cancer. A healthy diet plays an important role in fighting disease. One can't just depend totally on medication and therapies for fighting diseases. Though they definitely help, yet introducing a healthy diet may work side by side to build a healthy 'you'. One has yet to learn the healing powers of foods. Though we have discovered many such super foods, which we try and introduce in our daily diet, yet their actual health benefits are far from known. The actual list of such super foods that can fight cancer is really very long. But here is a list of the top 10 cancer fighting  foods which are available easily and can help save you from the development of cancerous cells as well as work towards detoxification of your body. Even if we include two or three of these foods in our daily diet on a regular basis, it would work in maximizing your potential and protect your body by eliminating toxins.

Top 10 Cancer Fighting Foods

1. Pomegranates 

Including pomegranate in your daily diet would help you in the best way possible. Eating pomegranate regularly helps you fight the belly fat. The juice of pomegranate is said to be beneficial for restraining growth of cancerous cells and tumors especially prostate cancer and breast cancer. The ellagitannins that are present in the pomegranate fruit restrains the enzyme aromatose. Aromatose is an enzyme which is responsible for making estrogen in the body. Too much estrogen could relate in severe health related problems such as weight gain, liver problems, cancer and tumors.  The ellagitannins present inside pomegranate protects against breast cancer by suppressing the estrogen levels and also in the prevention of other cancer cells. Recent studies and research do indicate that super food pomegranate intake helps fight not just breast cancer but also lung cancer.

Tip: Pomegranates could be added to salads or enjoyed just as it is. Daily intake of pomegranate juice also fights cancer. 

2. Broccoli

Brocccoli may not be one of your choices while planning lunches and dinner, but remember broccoli is one of the super foods which can significantly eradicate the risks of breast cancer. Broccoli fights cancer as it contains sulforaphane which is an anti-inflammatory compound. Sulforaphane is a phytochemical which is also found in brussels sprouts as well as cabbages. Sulforaphane has the ability to kill cancer and is known as a potent antioxidant. Being one of the cruciferous vegetables, broccoli has gained quite an attention for its plethora of health benefits. Hence broccoli is one of the miracle foods that cure cancer.

Tip: Broccoli could be eaten in real simple ways by just steaming or sauteing it in olive oil. One could use broccoli in cooking by incorporating it in soups, casseroles, meat and other dishes. We can use most of everything from broccoli right from its florets and soft stems to its hardened base. 

3. Spinach

Spinach is one of the cancer fighting foods which has two potential carotenoids, viz - lutein and zeaxanthin that are known to reduce the risks of breast cancer. These carotenoids can also reduce the risk of stomach cancer, cancer of esophagus, ovarian cancer, lung cancer and mouth cancer. It is a strongest food that could fight cancerous cells of almost every type. The rich supply of vitamins, fiber, minerals and antioxidants in spinach could work favorably for your body if consumed abundantly. It is one of the powerful ally that can be used to fight and cure cancer. Recent research has shown that women who included spinach in their daily diet at least twice a week are less prone to breast cancer than women who didn't.

Tip: Replace iceberg by fresh spinach leaves in salads and wraps. Use spinach as side dish by tossing it lightly in olive oil with crushed garlic and salt. Make healthy spinach dip or incorporate super food spinach in stir-fried veggies, kebabs, pulao, dal, smoothies, juices and other cooking.

4. Olive Oil

Research has shown that the regular use of olive oil in our diet could really help prevent cancer. One of the compound found in extra virgin olive oil, known as Oleocanthal is said to have cancer fighting properties. It is said that oleocanthal present in olive oil is one of the promising compounds which could be responsible for killing cancer cells. But one should not confuse extra virgin olive oil with pomace oil. Extra virgin olive oil contains more amounts of cancer fighting phytochemicals compared to pomace oil because it is less processed. Extra virgin olive oil is the olive oil with highest oleocanthal content. An olive oil rich diet is correlated with the reduced risk of bowel cancer. Olive oil is one of the miracle foods that cure cancer as it has the property to kill cancerous cells without causing any harm to the healthy cells. Olive oil along with a Mediterranean diet can help fight and cure malignant melanoma which is one of the skin cancer types.

Tip: Use of extra virgin olive oil can be made in salads, pastas, sauces and other foods. Olive oil should never be used for frying food items. Olive oil is an healthy option for salad dressing and also in making mayonnaise or other dishes.

5. Turmeric

Turmeric is known to be one of the most essential ingredients in Asian curries. More and more people are turning towards this ingredient for it's health benefits. It has been used as a medicine for it's healing properties and other health benefits. But research has also shown that turmeric can prevent or fight cancer. Turmeric spice contains an active anti-cancer compound known as curcumin. Curcumin is said to have chemo-preventive and radio-protective properties. The curcumin present inside turmeric is known to fight many types of cancer including bone cancer, thoracic cancers, ovarian cancer, cancers of liver, stomach, breast and skin. Been on the scientific radar for quite some time, turmeric is one of the wonder foods that can fight cancer.


Tip: Turmeric can be consumed by adding in curries and vegetable preparations. Additionally one could just add turmeric to hot water or hot milk and drink to achieve maximum benefits.

6.  Walnut

Walnut is one such miracle foods that cure cancer or help fighting it. It is said that most of the nuts are pertinent and inclusive into a cancer preventive diet. But most of all, walnuts fit the category well enough. Walnuts contain Omega-3 fatty acid namely alpha-linolenic acid which can down-regulate cell proliferation of prostate cancer cells, breast cancer cells and bladder cancer cells. Consumption of walnuts can interfere and discourage the development of cancer. In fact it could also instigate the death of cancer cells.

Tip: A handful of walnuts everyday can help more than one can imagine. Hence instead of craving on some junk food such as fries or chips, how about eating a handful of walnuts! Crushed or chopped walnuts can also be used as toppings for salads, ice-creams, milkshakes, cake toppings and other dishes.

7. Garlic

Garlic is one of the super foods that is known for its natural antioxidants. It has such super healing properties and is known to be an essential herb for healthier lifestyle. Garlic has tremendous potential when it comes to fighting cancer. Garlic is one of the most important cancer fighting herbs as it can detoxify the potential carcinogens. The phytochemicals present inside each and every clove of garlic fights and helps eradicate cancer. The sulfur compounds present within garlic can strengthen and stimulate our body's immune system and initiate our body's natural defense system against the cancerous cells by preventing its growth.

But instead of eating a whole garlic clove, it is recommended to crush or chop it. Crushed or chopped garlic is known to release allicin. Allicin is known to lower the risks of esophageal cancer, stomach cancer, pancreatic cancer and colon cancer. Recent research has shown that garlic compounds can produce reactive oxygen species in brain cancer cells which could gorge them to death. When included in daily diet by women, it could prevent and fight breast cancer.

Tip: Consuming 1 to 2 cloves of garlic per day could help in decreasing the risk of colon and stomach cancer. Garlic can be chopped and added to salads, sandwiches and wraps. Garlic oil is also known to have cancer fighting properties.

8. Green Tea

Green tea is said to be the best tea for cancer fighting patients. Green tea and the phenolic compounds present within it such as the 'Catechins' are potential antioxidants and natural phenol. The cancer preventive properties of catechins are studied and researched at. Apart from being a potential antioxidant the polyphenols in green tea exhibit anti-inflammatory properties as well as tumor-inhibiting properties.  Regular intake of green tea may primarily help in reducing the risk of cancer. The catechins in the green tea could alter the risk of prostate cancer. Green tea intake has also been found to work on shrinking tumors. In fact green tea is also beneficial for preventing and fighting skin cancer.  Additionally green tea also helps in detoxification which is an essential element for cancer patients.

Tip: Sip green tea once or twice a day regularly.

9. Black Pepper

One of the important cancer fighting spices and herbs list include black pepper as super food. Black pepper contains 'Piperine' which is one of the important ingredient of herbal and Ayurvedic medicines. Piperine is an alkaloid of black pepper which can inhibit growth of cancer cells of colon. Piperine is not just a well acknowledged antioxidant but also a anti-tumor agent and an anti-proliferative agent. No wonder Ayurveda crowns black pepper 'The king of spices' award. Black pepper has high levels of antioxidants that can help the body fight against oxidative stress and harmful pathogens that could give our body serious diseases such as cancer. Some of the other phytochemicals present inside black pepper such as Limonene is considered to have anti-cancer properties.

Tip: Black pepper can be freshly crushed or grounded to use in many dishes. It can be sprinkled over soups, salads, roast and meat dishes. Black pepper can also work as an alternative for salt.

10. Oregano

Oregano is definitely part of the top cancer fighting food because it is a miracle herb. We enjoy sprinkling or adding oregano to our foods for the flavors it imparts. But apart from that oregano should be included in our food because it can be beneficial for our body. Oregano has high levels of antioxidants which can help neutralize free radical damage to our cells. Oregano can help in preventing and fighting cancers such as breast cancer. The primary component present inside oregano is namely carvacrol which can help in prevention and growth of colon cancer and cervical cancer.

Tip: Oregano can be used fresh as well as dried. Oregano can be used in various dishes such as salads, pastas, pizza and marinades. It can be sprinkled to give an amazing flavor and aroma to dishes that are steamed, sauteed or boiled.  Fresh oregano can be fused into oil to imbibe an amazing flavor. It can be used to make various sauces and dips.