Food has a direct relationship with health, especially in the fight against cancer. Discover 5 foods to avoid illness
Nutrition is essential for preventing numerous diseases, including cancer. And, according to a survey conducted by the National Cancer Institute (Inca), Brazil is expected to record up to 704 thousand new cases of this type of pathology by 2025.
Furthermore, data recently released by the WHO estimates that the number of new cancer cases detected each year in 2050 will increase to nearly 35 million, which represents a 77% increase from the 20 million identified in 2022.
The warning is part of new disease estimates released earlier this month by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), an arm of the World Health Organization (WHO).
According to clinical and functional nutritionist Gisela Savioli there are some fundamental foods to include in your diet that will be decisive in avoiding the inflammatory phase. In fact, the condition is a trigger for many diseases, including cancer.
“The truth is that an anti-cancer diet is an anti-inflammatory diet. That is, it is as natural as possible, without pesticides, preferably seasonal, with a richness and variety of nutrients, antioxidants and bioactive compounds. This applies to every phase: prevention, treatment and fight against chronic diseases”, underlines Gisela.
According to physician Dr. Christian Aguiar, although there is no absolute guarantee that consuming these foods will prevent cancer, research suggests that a diet rich in certain foods may reduce the risk of developing certain types of cancer.
“These foods are often rich in antioxidants, vitamins, minerals, and phytochemicals that may have anticancer properties. Therefore, incorporating them into your diet can help promote health and reduce the risk of developing cancer,” explains the doctor.
5 foods to include in your diet to fight cancer
1. Kale
For Dr. Gisela, kale is a real living “pharmacy”, rich in nutritional components. Adds magnesium, which guides the body to food, vitamin C, beta-carotene, indole 3-carbinol, known for its action in preventing the proliferation of cancer cells. She’s not surprised that oncologists often say that cancer cells hate kale.
2. Broccoli
From the same family as kale, broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E and K, as well as being rich in iron, potassium, calcium and phosphorus. However, there is a secret to preserving the nutritional and disease-protective properties of this food.
“The broccoli needs to be steamed for a maximum of two minutes, preserving its crunchiness. The advice is to chew it 30 times before swallowing it”, explains Gisela.
3. Brussels sprouts
The third food is Brussels sprouts, small but rich in antioxidants, such as sulfur and magnesium. These substances help the liver detoxify substances that make our body sick and inflamed. The nutritionist’s advice is to eat a few units for lunch or dinner.
In addition to these foods, the nutritionist explains that it is important to include a variety of fruits, vegetables and legumes in your diet. “It is no exaggeration to say that with every bite we contribute to our destiny. It is the factor that most interferes in the prevention of diseases or in the acceleration of chronic diseases. And in the kitchen we have a natural pharmacy, at our disposal. The more colorful the meal, the the more protective it is,” advises Dr. Gisela.
4. Garlic
Garlic contains antioxidant compounds, such as allicin, that help fight free radical damage to cells. This can help prevent DNA damage, which is one of the factors that contribute to the development of cancer.
Additionally, it has anti-inflammatory properties, which may help reduce chronic inflammation, which has been linked to the development of several types of cancer.
According to Dr. Christian Aguiar, garlic can also stimulate the immune system, helping the body fight cancer cells and other health threats. Some studies suggest that garlic may help inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in tumors (angiogenesis), thus preventing the growth and spread of cancer.
“Garlic has been shown to have antimutagenic properties, meaning it can help prevent genetic mutations that can lead to cancer,” Christian Aguiar points out.
5. Ginger
Like garlic and green tea, ginger is another food rich in antioxidants, such as gingerols, shogaol and gingerdione, which help neutralize free radicals in the body. These free radicals can damage cells and contribute to the development of cancer, so the antioxidants found in ginger can help prevent this process.
Ginger is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which reduce chronic inflammation in the body. Chronic inflammation is associated with the development of several diseases, including cancer.
“Some studies suggest that ginger may help inhibit the formation of new blood vessels in tumors (angiogenesis), which may slow the growth and spread of cancer. Additionally, ginger has been shown to have inhibitory effects on metastasis, preventing the spread of cancer cells to other parts of the body”, underlines Christian Aguiar.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
