Foods, despite not being miraculous, contribute a lot to fighting cancer. These, through the nutrients they have, are able to protect the body's cells from the problems caused by carcinogenic substances and objects. For a better understanding, it is necessary to understand the infection process of cells.
In contact with carcinogenic material, the organism undergoes a slow transformation. A cell is attacked by cancerous material, having its gene completely modified. Such modification transforms the cell into malignant and it begins to multiply in a disorderly and irreversible way, causing the other cells to be damaged.
In this way, foods act to prevent and strengthen the body's cells, as they have antioxidants, phytosubstances, vitamins, minerals and others that can act in a preventive way. Below are some foods that deserve attention in the anticancer action:
Pumpkin, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, mangoes and papaya are foods rich in beta-carotene, a substance that helps the body to restore cells damaged by oxidizing agents. In this way, they act against the most varied types of tumors.
Broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, kale, arugula and spinach have a substance called sulforaphane, whose function in the body is to regenerate and increase its resistance.
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Cauliflower, peas, guava, apple, watermelon, cucumber and wheat are fiber-rich foods. slowly travel through the digestive tract increasing satiety and decreasing the fat content in the body.
Tomatoes, watermelon, peppers and beets are rich in lycopene, a substance that acts on free radicals, preventing them from damaging the body's normal cells.
Probiotic foods, which contain beneficial bacteria for the body, can strengthen the body's defense system and also fight ulcers that induce the formation of malignant cells.
Oilseeds, green leaves, sweet potatoes, milk, oats, fish and soybeans are foods rich in alpha-tocopherol, a substance that inhibits the action of free radicals in the body and the growth of tumors in the lung.
It is important to remember that all foods should be eaten in a variety of ways, as none of side for the body to be fully strengthened, as certain foods act on specific parts of the body.
By Gabriela Cabral
Brazil School Team
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
DANTAS, Gabriela Cabral da Silva. "The Importance of Food in Fighting Cancer"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/saude/a-importancia-dos-alimentos-no-combate-ao-cancer.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
