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What Are the Best Tips for Cancer Prevention Nutrition?

Alex Tree
Alex Tree

The best tips for cancer prevention nutrition is to cut down on red meats, eat more fiber, and concentrate on plant-based foods. Red meats in general contain a lot of saturated fat, which is linked to cancer when consumed in excessive amounts. In addition, eating more fiber builds a healthy digestive system that moves cancer-causing compounds out of the body quickly. Lastly, concentrating on filling meals with leafy green vegetables and bright fruits leads to consuming more cancer prevention nutrients. When combined with healthy cooking methods, these foods make up some of the best cancer prevention nutrition.

Some studies show that vegetarians are less likely to get cancer, which made scientists turn to red meat for an explanation. It turns out that red meat often contains high amounts of fat and, depending on its preparation methods, might even carry carcinogenic compounds. These compounds can cause cancer if they do enough damage to a person’s body. In addition, many people eat more red meat than recommended by upping portion sizes or eating it too often. It is not necessary to become a vegetarian or give up red meat, but cancer prevention nutrition tips from experts generally advise relying more on leaner meats, like chicken breasts, turkey, or fish.

Beans are high in fiber, which may help prevent some types of cancer.
Beans are high in fiber, which may help prevent some types of cancer.

A healthy digestive system means that carcinogen compounds are moved quickly, and cancer prevention nutrition is high fiber in order to keep that system healthy. It is not necessary or even advisable to buy products specifically advertised as “high fiber;” people with healthy, varied diets get enough fiber without having to rely on heavily processed meal bars or cereal. Beans are a high fiber food, especially split peas, lentils and black beans. Some unpeeled fruits are also high in fiber, like raspberries, pears and apples. A general rule of thumb to avoid low or no fiber food is to not eat most “white” foods, like white bread, sugar, and white rice.

Plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables, can be helpful in preventing cancer.
Plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables, can be helpful in preventing cancer.

In addition to providing cancer-fighting antioxidants, fruits and vegetables can greatly contribute to a person’s daily intake of fiber. They are also low-fat, generally high in vitamins, and have a heavy water content. All of these aspects help the human body in some way. In fact, some fruits and vegetables are often described as “superfood” or “cancer fighting food,” which can be very misleading. The term superfood is a marketing term used to boost sales of fruit- or vegetable-based products. Cancer fighting food generally means the food can help prevent cancer, rather than actually fight it.

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    • Beans are high in fiber, which may help prevent some types of cancer.
      By: tfazevedo
      Beans are high in fiber, which may help prevent some types of cancer.
    • Plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables, can be helpful in preventing cancer.
      By: forestpath
      Plant-based foods, including fruits and vegetables, can be helpful in preventing cancer.
    • Chicken breasts are a good source of lean protein.
      By: Christian Jung
      Chicken breasts are a good source of lean protein.
    • Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like those found in fresh produce, may help to prevent cancer.
      By: marucyan
      Eating a diet rich in antioxidants and vitamins, like those found in fresh produce, may help to prevent cancer.