October is Breast Cancer Awareness month; the time of year where we’re reminded that early detection saves lives. Getting checked is definitely important, but eating healthily has also been proven to help reduce the risk of breast cancer. Check out this list of what to eat and why.
White Mushrooms
Studies have shown that mushrooms, even in small amounts, can make women two thirds less likely to develop breast cancer. As an added bonus, they’re packed full of vitamin D too!
Walnuts
Walnuts contain a vitamin called gamma tocopherol, which stops the activation of Akt, an enzyme that is essential for cancer cell survival. They also contain phytosterols, which help regulate estrogen levels in both men and women.
Olive Oil
Consuming extra-virgin olive oil instead of corn oil has been found to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer by 68%.
Eggs
Eggs are packed with an essential nutrient called choline. It’s been found that women who consumed the most choline had the lowest risk of developing breast cancer compared with those who didn’t.
Chickpeas
Thanks to their anti-cancer agents, known as protease inhibitor concentrates, chickpeas have been found to prevent breast cancer.
Asparagus
Packed with fiber, asparagus can also induce antioxidant activity which has been found to possibly prevent cancer.
Broccoli
The anti-inflammatory compound, called sulforaphane, found in broccoli has been found to eliminate chemicals in the body that cause breast cancer. Additionally, they also reduce the growth of human breast cancer cells.
Ginger
Antioxidants in ginger have been speculated to inhibit the formation of tumors and the spread of breast cancer cells.
Coffee
Some studies have speculated that drinking coffee regularly helps provide the antioxidants needed to protect cells from damage that lead to breast cancer.
Strawberries
According to a recent study, the high levels of phenolic compounds found in strawberries reduced the spread of breast cancer cells during experiments. While this study is not conclusive as of yet, strawberries still contain a lot of vitamins and nutrients to keep the body healthy!
