You may have heard that grapes and dark chocolate have health-promoting benefits. This is because of a chemical called resveratrol, found in grape skins and cacao. Scientist discovered that resveratrol activates cellular enzymes to carry out a previously-unrecognized function in preventing DNA damage. This exciting new biology opens the door not just for cancer prevention, but for new treatments as well.
There are many other foods that can assist in reducing the risk of cancer. Below are a few examples:
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- Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomato-based pasta sauce, tomato paste, ketchup and salsa. Lycopene helps reduce the risk of skin cancer and may help reduce the risk of certain other types of cancer as well.
- Cruciferous vegetables such as cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale, contain phytochemicals with anti-inflammatory effects and may protect against prostate, breast and lung cancers.
- Red wine, Cacao, Blueberries and Raspberries are rich sources of resveratrol.
- Real teas, such as green, white, and oolong, are rich in flavonoids, powerful antioxidants that help protect the body against disease by counteracting the harmful effects of cell damage from free radicals.
- Certain nuts, including Brazil nuts and cashews are sources of dietary selenium, an important nutrient which research suggests may help prevent colon cancer.
