OTHER FOODS THAT FIGHT CANCER
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NOTE:
No single food or food substances can protect you against cancer.
But scientists believe that the right combination of foods in
a predominantly plant-based diet may. Evidence is mounting that
the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in plant foods interact
to provide extra cancer protection. This concept is called synergy.
In addition, vegetables, fruits, whole grains and beans are
low-energy-dense, low calorie foods and probably protect against
weight gain. According to the Second Expert Report, experts
believe that weight gain – particularly obesity and overweight
– are implicated in the development of cancer. Eating a predominantly
plant based diet can help prevent weight gain and therefore
protect against those cancers whose risk is convincingly increased
by higher body fat (namely cancers of the colorectum, esophagus,
endometrium, pancreas, kidney, and breast in postmenopausal
women). That is why AICR recommends that at least 2/3 of your
plate should be filled with vegetables, fruit, whole grains
and beans.
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Cruciferous Vegetables
The cruciferous vegetables are broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Brussels
sprouts, bok choy and kale. According to AICR's second expert report,
Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer:
A Global Perspective, non-starchy vegetables, like those listed
above, probably protect against some types of cancers. This protective
effect is strongest for cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus,
and stomach.
Research on cruciferous vegetables highlights several components
that have been linked to lower cancer risk, including glucosinolates,
crambene, indole-3-carbinol and,
especially, isothiocyanates (which are derived from
glucosinolates).
Several laboratory studies have suggested that cruciferous
vegetables help regulate a complex system of bodily enzymes that defend
against cancer. Components of these vegetables have shown the ability
to stop the growth of cancer cells in various cell, tissue and animal
models, including tumors of the breast, endometrium, lung, colon,
liver, colon and cervix.
The Research
AICR has funded research on the following topics relating to cruciferous
vegetables and the cancer-fighting components they contain. Click
each topic to search for relevant AICR-funded research studies performed
to date.
Read
the full list of AICR’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention.
