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Fight Cancer: 5 Foods That Boost Your Body's Defenses
26 Apr
Summary
- Microscopic cancer cells are common, but the body's defenses can manage them.
- Inflammation fuels cancer growth; lowering it significantly reduces risk.
- Certain foods like soy, tomatoes, apples, berries, coffee, and tea can support the body's natural cancer defenses.
Microscopic cancer cells routinely form in the body, but most remain harmless as defenses typically manage them. However, when these natural defenses weaken, the risk of cancer increases, with inflammation acting as a significant catalyst for growth.
Dr. William Li explains that reducing inflammation is fundamental to lowering cancer risk. He points to sunburn and smoking as examples where inflammation exacerbates cell damage and mutation, leading to cancers like melanoma and lung cancer.
Dr. Li identifies five food categories that support the body's cancer-fighting mechanisms rather than directly attacking cancer. These include soy products, tomatoes, apples, berries, and beverages like coffee and tea.
Studies suggest soy consumption may decrease breast cancer mortality by 30%. Tomatoes, rich in lycopene, can cut off a cancer's blood supply and are linked to a 30% lower risk of prostate cancer.
Apples contain chlorogenic acid, a potent anti-inflammatory polyphenol, while berries are packed with anthocyanins and fiber, supporting gut health and reducing inflammation.
Coffee and tea, particularly matcha, contain polyphenols and catechins that enhance cancer responses, cut off tumor blood supply, and boost immunity.
