22 Cancer-Fighting Foods You Should Eat Often

Best HealthUpdated: Jul. 16, 2019

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, eating well is a key weapon in the fight against cancer. Arm yourself with these cancer-fighting foods

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Apples

Apples are chock full of phytochemicals like quercetin, which fight inflammation.

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Beans

These protein-rich pulses are also packed with antioxidants like kaempferol, a flavonol that early research points to as a powerful cancer fighter.

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Black tea

Black tea boasts a range of potentially cancer-reducing polyphenols.

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Blueberries

Blueberries contain cancer-fighting flavonoids, as well as vitamin C.

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Brussels sprouts

Brussels sprouts are an excellent source of several cancer-beating compounds, including magnesium.

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Carrots

Carrots contain selenium a mineral that acts as an antioxidant.

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Cherries

Cherries of all kinds contain antioxidants, but tart varieties may provide higher levels. (Try our Sour Cherry Smoothie recipe.)

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Coffee

Coffee contains riboflavin, among other potent antioxidants.

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Curcumin

Curcumin (the bright yellow spice found in Indian dishes) has proven anti-inflammatory benefits that suppress the development of cancer cells.

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Cranberries

Cranberries shouldn’t be saved for the holidays; they’re bursting with vitamin C, fibre and phytochemicals.

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Flaxseed

Flaxseed is one of the top sources of dietary lignans, plant estrogens that our healthy gut bacteria convert into antioxidant compounds. Early studies have shown that a daily dose of flaxseed may help decrease cancer growth in women with newly diagnosed breast cancer and reduce the form of estrogen that seems to promote breast cancer in healthy women. Lignans may also help reduce the growth of tumours in male prostate cancer patients.

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Ginger

Ginger is delicious in smoothies, soups and green tea and may be able to terminate cancer cells, too, say researchers who are currently testing it on ovarian cancer.

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Grapefruit

Grapefruit is packed with cancer-fighting antioxidants like vitamins A and C, alpha-tocopherol, limonin, beta carotene and naringenin, and it’s notably one of the greatest sources of dietary lycopene.

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