Spices in your Cancer Diet
Spices don’t just pack your meals full of flavor, they can also turn your meals into cancer-fighting foods.
The journal Nutrients reported that many spices contain bioactive compounds that reduce cancer risk. For example, black pepper, garlic, chili pepper, and saffron all help in cancer prevention. (48)
The reasons why many spices are useful in a diet to prevent cancer are that they reduce inflammation, increase immunity, and help prevent the growth of tumors. (48)
Turmeric spice on the anti-cancer diet
Compounds in turmeric can help prevent cancer as they have proven potential to kill off cancer cells.
Curcumin is the anticancer compound in turmeric that gives the spice its color and earthy flavor. Laboratory trials have shown that curcumin can destroy almost any type of cancer cell. Scientists have found that the mechanisms behind the cancer-killing properties of curcumin are many and complex. (49)
Learn more about the amazing health benefits of turmeric and why adding black pepper to the spice increases its effectiveness.
Cinnamon helps prevent cancer
You can add a teaspoon of cinnamon a day to your anti-cancer diet to help reduce your risk of the disease from developing.
Cinnamon spice is well-known for its health-boosting properties. Studies into the benefits of cinnamon for cancer prevention have revealed that it has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and also anti-tumor properties. Researchers have even said that cinnamon has the potential to be used as a complementary medicine for diverse cancers. (50)
Other studies have found that cinnamon helps to prevent cancer from developing and also slow down the spread of cancer. (51)
Further reading: Science Based Benefits of Cinnamon (Tea, Powder).
Add ginger to your cancer diet plan
Ginger is another of the cancer killing spices that can help keep cancer at bay or prevent its spread.
Similar to turmeric, ginger has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties that help prevent cancer. One study found that extracts of ginger root can have a protective effect against human prostate cancer. (52)
Other studies have shown that ginger compounds have potential in treating and preventing the spread of breast cancer. (53)
To help boost the effectiveness of your cancer prevention diet, find out how to make a delicious healthy ginger and turmeric tea.
You may also be surprised to learn in this article that dried ginger is just as good for you as fresh ginger root.
Fermented Foods in Your Diet to Prevent Cancer
Some of the foods that help to prevent cancer are fermented dairy foods such as yogurt, kefir, and probiotic dairy drinks.
The International Journal of Cancer reported in 2018 that many studies show a positive effect of fermented dairy products on cancer prevention. A review of 61 studies found that consuming fermented dairy products significantly lowered the risk of cancer. Among the benefits were lower instances of bladder cancer and colorectal cancer. (54)
Some studies also show that dairy products with probiotic cultures can help to prevent colon cancer. (55)
There are also many health benefits to your digestion system by consuming kefir every day.
Green Tea Helps Prevent and Fight Cancer
Green tea and green tea extracts are among the best cancer-fighting superfoods that help to keep you healthy.
The journal Molecules and Cells reports that green tea contains catechins called epigallocatechin gallate (ECGG). Many studies have shown that ECGG helps to prevent the development of cancerous cells and also treat cancer. (56)
Scientists have also found that green tea compounds can help prevent cancer metastasis. (57)
If you want to find out about the best kind of green tea to drink for cancer prevention, read about the health benefits of matcha tea.
Seaweed is a Cancer Fighting Superfood
There is growing evidence that foods derived from seaweed can help to reduce your cancer risk or slow down the progression of cancer.
According to research published in the journal Marine Drugs, various types of seaweed contain anticancer compounds. Brown algae, green algae, and red algae have shown to possess properties that can help to stop cancer growth and kill off tumor cells. (58)
If you are interested in adding seaweed to your cancer prevention diet, learn about the benefits of sea kelp and how to use this seafood in your cooking.
