Five Foods That Reduce Breast Cancer Risks

Can you really lower your risks of breast cancer simply by what you eat? The experts weigh in with the five foods you should eat to reduce cancer risks, plus their top three nutritional tips. Read the full article here.

Maintain a healthy weight. "Obesity is associated with a variety of cancers, including breast cancer," says Moshe Shike, director of clinical nutrition at Memorial Sloan-Kettering. Keep your body mass index between 18.5 and 24.9 and exercise regularly (at least 30 minutes five days a week).

Fill up on fruits and veggies. Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage may defend against cancer. Dark leafy greens (spinach, kale, romaine lettuce, et cetera) contain carotenoids, which act as antioxidants. Some of these foods can also help you sleep better and reduce stress.

Cut back on red meat. The American Institute for Cancer Research recommends consuming no more than 18 ounces a week. In fact, a recent study involving more than 35,000 British women found that women who ate the most red meat (two or more ounces daily) were up to 56 percent more likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not eat red meat.

Find out how your drinking habits, vitamin-D intake, and the amount of soy in your diet also affects your risks.

Foods That Fight Cancer

  • Beans: Rich in fiber, beans and other legumes like lentils and peas appear to protect cells from damage.

  • Berries: Strawberries and raspberries contain ellagic acid, which may deactivate carcinogens.

  • Grapes: Red and purple varieties are rich in resveratrol, which may help inhibit tumor growth.

  • Green tea: Studies have associated the antioxidant-rich beverage with lower risk.

  • Whole grains: Loaded with fiber, wheat breads, brown rice, and oatmeal contain phytochemicals, which may lessen risk.


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