List of Anti-Cervical Cancer Foods (Cont'd)
By eating the cervical cancer combating foods included in the anti-cervical cancer food list below, you can reduce your risk of cervical cancer while meeting your daily needs for vitamins and minerals.
Note that this is the second page of a two-page article on anti-cervical cancer foods. If you missed the first part of the article, click here.
#8: Broccoli
Broccoli may be one of the best foods you can eat if you want to turbo-charge your anti-cervical-cancer diet. Broccoli contains some extraordinary compounds that have been shown to eliminate carcinogenic toxins, prevent DNA mutation, induce apoptosis in cancer cells, prevent the development of benign tumors into malignant tumors, and help prevent the spread of cancer from one organ to another. Broccoli sprouts are a particularly rich source of cancer-fighting compounds, but also broccoli florets provide significant amounts. To maximize the health benefits of broccoli, eat it raw or slightly steamed. The cervical cancer combating compounds in raw, crushed broccoli are usually better absorbed by the body. What's more, cooking destroys sulforaphane — the key cervical cancer fighting substance in broccoli (according to one study, cooking may destroy as much as 90% of the sulforaphane in broccoli).
#9: Arugula
Although it is used much in the same way as salad greens, arugula is a cruciferous vegetable and related to the famous nutritional superstar vegetables broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage. Like other cruciferous vegetables, arugula is brimming with health promoting phytochemicals and vitamins and thus makes a great substitute for lettuce. It is a great source of glucosinolates which turn into isothiocyanates when the plant is chewed. Isothiocyanates are known to neutralize carcinogens and to inhibit cancer cell proliferation. The high concentration of chlorophyll, a plant pigment with proven anti-cancer properties, may also contribute to the potential anti-cancer effects of arugula. Arugula is also rich in vitamin C and beta-carotene (about five times the amount found in iceberg lettuce).
#10: Fish Roe
A little goes a long way when it comes to fish eggs. Fish eggs are one of the best natural sources of DHA and EPA which are types of omega-3 fatty acids. Ounce for ounce, fish eggs contain even more omega-3's than the fattiest fish. A study, which analyzed the roe of fifteen marine animals, found that the roe of lumpsucker, hake, and salmon were the richest in terms of omega-3 fatty acids.
#11: Horseradish
Horseradish can add zing to almost any dish, but its benefits are not purely culinary. Horseradish is supercharged with glucosinolates, protective phytochemicals that can help eliminate carcinogens that could cause cervical cancer. Some researchers have also found glucosinolates to be able to cease the growth of cancerous tumors. Glucosinolates are present in many cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli and Brussels sprouts, but the glucosinolates in horseradish are much more concentrated (horseradish has been shown to have up to 10 times more glucosinolates than broccoli).
#12: Cherries
Cherries contain perillyl alcohol (POH), which has been found to be effective at destroying a variety of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. When buying cherries, it is wise to choose organically grown fruit whenever possible as conventionally grown cherries often contain high levels of pesticides and other chemical compounds.
#13: Brussels Sprouts
If you can develop a liking for their strong, slightly bitter taste, Brussels sprouts can be one of the best additions to your cervical cancer fighting diet. These little green veggies contain several properties that make them exceptional at reducing the risk of cervical cancer. Their most notable quality: they contain indole-3-carbinol (I3C). I3C is a compound found in Brussels sprouts when the plants' cell walls are broken through chopping, crushing, or chewing. I3C has been shown to boost the detoxification of many harmful substances, including carcinogenes, and to have antioxidant properties. Moreover, I3C appear have anti-estrogenic activities which may help prevent cancer in cervical cells.
#14: Watercress
Watercress is an anti-cancer food par excellence. Research suggests that daily consumption of fresh watercress daily can significantly reduce blood cell DNA damage. DNA damage in blood cells is an indicator of a person's overall cancer risk. Watercress contains phenethyl isothiocyanate (PEITC), a type of mustard oil that is well known for its cancer fighting properties. But the anti-cancer properties of watercress may also be attributable to the high levels of vitamin C in these little peppery leaves. Watercress is available in many supermarkets, but you can also grow your own crop if you are lucky enough to have a garden. Watercress makes a tasty addition to salads and sandwiches.
For more information on how you can lower your risk of cervical cancer through dietary choices, see:
