Nutrition is an important part in beating cancer. Wrong foods place an enormous amount of stress on the body’s cells, causing normal body cells to become acidic, high in sugar, and cancerous during the dividing process. Therefore over the next few months we will take a look at different superfoods that may help prevent or assist in the process of fighting cancer.
Beetroot – The latest superfood
The humble beetroot has emerged from the pickle jar to becoming the new superfood of the 21st century.
According to health experts, this purple red bulb is virtually fat-free, rich in iron, copper and packed with vitamins and nutrients that can bring immeasurable good to human health.
One major component of beets which brings several health benefits is betacyanin, a naturally-occurring pigment that makes its roots and stems reddish-purple in color.
Aside from making beets attractive and colorful, this pigment is also an anti-cancer agent.
The positive effects of ingesting beets were exhibited by patients with stomach cancer. Scientists discovered that beet juice can effectively inhibit cell mutations caused by nitrosamines, a cancer-causing compound produced in the stomach that is commonly used in processed meats as a preservative.
Beets are rich in antioxidants, which help fight all sorts of cancers. What makes beets unique in this capacity, is the type of antioxidants it contains. The unique and highly varied phytochemicals provide the body with hard to come by antioxidants that may increase eye health, as well as nerve tissue health.
Studies have shown that the high levels of antioxidant and anti-inflammitory agents found in beets contribute to a reduction in the risk of all sorts of cancers. A study published in The Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry (2005) studied the effects of beet nutrients (such as betanin) on human tumor cells, and while preliminary, it supports beet’s anti-cancer properties. High levels of beet fiber – which are unique to other forms of fiber – may also be linked to reducing the risk of colon cancer.