A diet rich in colorful vegetables and fruits help prevent diseases such as heart disease and diabetes. Some of them also show cancer-fighting properties.

Food such as broccoli, berries and garlic have shown strong links to cancer prevention in many studies.

Fruits and vegetables are low in calories and fat. Many of them contain high levels of antioxidants and phytochemicals.

Antioxidants, including (but not limited to), beta-carotene, lycopene, vitamins A, C, and E, etc  can protect cells from the damage of free radicals. Phytochemicals can prevent cell changes that lead to cancer, detoxify carcinogens from foods or the environment.

A diet that is full of cancer-fighting foods is not much different from the healthy diet you should have anyway.

Want to know which veggies or fruits are the best cancer-fighting food? Keep on reading Cancer-fighting food (2)  and (3) — the Superstars.

Source: webmd.com

Here are some veggies and fruits that you should eat plenty of for their many benefits, including cancer-fighting properties.

Garlic

Garlic stops cancer-causing substances from forming, speeds up DNA repair and kills cancer cells. It also has antibacteria property and reduces the risk of colon caner.

Chop it up and let it sit for 15 min before cooking for the beneficial compounds to form. Eat the cloves instead of supplements.

Broccoli

Broccoli and its cousins (cabbage, kale and cauliflower) contain phytochemicals that detoxify harmful substances and reduce cancer risk.

They are most effective in fighting against cancers of the mouth, esophagus and stomach.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant. It is linked to reduced risk of prostate cancer. Watermelon, pink grapefruit and red bell pepper also contain high levels of lycopene.

Lycopene is more readily available to your body if you eat cooked or processed tomatoes.

Strawberries

Berries are powerful foods against many health problems, such as heart disease, memory decline and cancer.

Strawberries as well as other types of berries are loaded with antioxidants that destroy cancer-causing substances.

Eating berries and other fruits may reduce the risk of having lung cancer, and cancers of the mouth, esophgus and stomach.

Also read Cancer-fighting Foods (1) — Overview and (3) — the Superstars (Cont).

Source: webmd.com

Carrots

Carrots are full of disease-fighting nutrients. They are rich in beta-carotene, an antioxidant that protects cells from toxin damage and may slow the growth of cancer cells

Carrots protect against cancers of the mouth, esophagus and stomach, as well as cervical cancer.

To get the most out of carrots, cook before eating.

Spinach

Spinach is rich in carotenoids (also antioxidants). They protect cells from being damaged by free radicals.

Spinach and other dark green leafy vegetables protect you from cancers of the mouth, esophagus and stomach. They may also reduce the risk of ovarian, endometrial, lung and colorectal cancer.

You’ll get the most benefit from raw or lightly cooked spinach.

Whole Grains

Whole grains have plenty of fiber and other substances that battle cancer. It decreases the risk of colon cancer.

When shopping for whole grain products, make sure they are labeled “100% whole wheat”.

Also read Cancer-fighting Foods (1) — Overview and (2) — Superstars

Source: webmd.com