The benefits of eating healthy are numerous and too often ignored. Fortunately, organic fruits and veggies may hold one of the secrets to living a healthy, cancer free life. Recent studies on the benefits of antioxidants are showing that these power-molecules should be a nutritious part of your everyday diet.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are phytochemicals, molecules that work to fight against a chemical reaction called oxidation. Oxidation is necessary for some healthy bodily functions, but too much oxidation results in an overabundance of free radicals, or oxidants. Free radicals are responsible for starting chemical chain reactions in the body that damage cells. Antioxidants neutralize harmful reactions and eliminate free radicals.
Where can they be found?
The highest concentration of antioxidants can be found in small red beans, wild blueberries, and cranberries. Other fruits and vegetables, like strawberries, prunes, artichoke, apples, and potatoes contain good levels of antioxidants as well. Purchasing produce from local organic farmers ensures the freshest, tastiest, healthiest food. Also, growing your own fruits and veggies is a great way to stay active, get some sunlight, and eat healthy, all of which play their parts in reducing cancer and other chronic illness risks.
Do they prevent cancer?
Eating organic fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants reduces the risk of heart disease, neurological disease, visible signs of aging, and cancer. Studies have shown that those who eat healthier and organically may be at reduced risk for cancer and are certainly at reduced risk for heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and obesity.
Do they heal cancer?
Eating well, and especially eating foods high in antioxidants, is a great way to help your body to heal if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer. Those with cancers caused by toxins, like mesothelioma, may not be able to avoid cancer simply by eating better. Mesothelioma symptoms are subtle, but treatment is aggressive and often ineffective. Antioxidants can be used to minimize treatment side effects and to prolong mesothelioma life expectancy.
So whether you’re trying to prevent colon cancer, conquer the symptoms of mesothelioma, or just trying to live a healthier life, try eating organic fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants. You’d be surprised what fitting healthier food options into your lifestyle can do for you in the long run.
Special thanks to the writer of this post and a Cooking Allergy Free follower!
I would just like to add that based on some research I've done, some of the best cancer fighting/preventing compounds (sometimes classified as anutrients)are carotenes. These are powerful antioxidants that can protect the body from an array of cancers, especially those affecting the epithelial cells. See my post titled "Nutrients or Anutrients".
ReplyDeleteGreat topic, thanks for writing it!