9 cancer fighting foods

What you eat and drink and how well you lead your daily life can help short-circuit the cancer process. Both during and after cancer treatment, it is vital to indulge in a nourishing diet and stay physically active while maintaining a healthy body weight. A plant-based diet composed of vegetables, fruits, whole grains and legumes provide essential vitamins, minerals and protective substances called phytochemicals that can aid in fighting cancer.

While some of these nutrients aid in flushing out toxins from the body before they cause any cell damage that might lead to cancer, others assist the body in repairing damage at the cellular level. Still others may help stop cancer cells from reproducing. Here's a look at nine foods that help you fight and protect you from cancer:

#1. Garlic and onion: Known for their sulphur compounds such as allylsulphates, garlic and onion promote the death of colon, breast, lung, and prostate cancer cells. Garlic also regulates blood sugar levels and reduces insulin production, thus preventing the growth of tumours in the body.

#2. Cruciferous vegetables: Cauliflower and broccoli contain sulforaphanes and indoles - two potent anti-cancer molecules which stimulate the production of detoxification enzyme in the body. They also promote the suicide of cancer cells and block tumour growth and are known to lower the risk of lung, prostate, bladder and stomach cancer.

#3. Ginger: Fresh produce of ginger contains anti-inflammatory properties that combats certain cancer cells and thus helps to slow down the growth of tumour cells. A ginger infusion can also alleviate nausea from chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

#4. Turmeric: It is the most powerful natural anti-inflammatory food available today. It triggers cancer cell death, inhibits tumour growth, and even enhances the effectiveness of chemotherapy. Turmeric is most effective when it's mixed with black pepper and dissolved in oil.

#5. Papaya, tangerines and oranges: These fruits contain cryptoxanthin and flavonoids, which stimulate detoxification of carcinogens found in liver. Certain flavonoids in the skin of tangerines such as tangeritin and nobiletin, also have the potential to prevent cancer cells from dividing further.

#6. Carrots, mangoes and pumpkins: Alpha and beta-carotenes are known as powerful cancer-busting agents. Theses fruits are effective against several types of cancer including cervical, bladder, colon and breast cancer, especially among menopausal women.

#7. Grapes: Compounds such as anthocyanin and polyphenols aid in fighting cancer by reducing the production of free radicals in the body.

#8. Tomatoes and watermelon: As a rich source of lycopene - a very strong antioxidant known to provide protection from cellular damage, a diet composed of about ten portions of tomatoes in a week may decrease the risk of prostate cancer by almost 18 per cent.

#9. Legumes and dals: Besides being a rich source of protein, legumes also provide fiber and folate, which can reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. The resistant starch present in legumes can improve the health of colon cells.

To maximise health benefits of vital nutrients; try to follow a holistic approach - include a cup serving of a variety of non-starchy vegetables and fruits in your daily meal while incorporating whole grains and legumes in your every meal.