May superfoods help with cancer? (study)

Influence of superfoods on cancer

Cancer is one of the diseases that naturally causes fear. We are humble when facing it and are constantly trying to figure out how to prevent it. When it comes to cancer prevention and treatment, we are increasingly confronted with the promotion of individual foods. But what is their real value? What may protect us from cancer and how?

Prevention

It is estimated that approximately 30 to 40% of all cancers may be prevented by changing the diet and lifestyle. Excessive risk factors in this case include obesity, long-term deficiency of vitamins, minerals and other active substances in the body, excess of refined flour products and concentrated sugars in the diet, low fiber intake or imbalance of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

As a form of prevention, it is beneficial to include in your diet the so-called protective elements, such as vitamins (folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin C), minerals (e.g. selenium), antioxidants, chlorophyll, carotenoids (α-carotene, β-carotene, lycopene, lutein, cryptoxanthin) and others. The use of digestive enzymes and probiotics is also important. According to scientists, a well-chosen diet may reduce the risk of cancer by 30 to 40% and also support recovery from existing cancer.

Interesting findings regarding the intake of fruits and vegetables in the diet

Researchers G. Block, B. Patterson and A. Subar examined about 200 cancer studies related to fruit and vegetable intake. They found that for most cancers, a person who consumes very little fruit and vegetables has about twice the risk of developing cancer than a person who consumes high amounts of fruit and vegetables.

A report from the World Cancer Research Fund and the US Cancer Institute provided compelling evidence that a diet high in fruit and vegetables might help reduce the incidence of cancer of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, pancreas, stomach, lung, breast, bladder, colon and rectum.

There are many studies that look at the effects of fruits and vegetables in the prevention and potential treatment of cancer. But what portions of these foods are they talking about? For example, a study on the Hallelujah diet talks about eating six servings of fruit and eleven servings of vegetables a day.

Studies on the effect of superfoods on cancer

Many fruits and vegetables may help our body prevent cancer. This is mainly due to their content of individual active substances, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, flavonoids and the like. So let’s look directly at individual superfoods and their impact on the prevention or alleviation of symptoms associated with cancer.

Curly kale and cruciferous vegetables

Cruciferous vegetables, which include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage or kale, contain a substance called sulforaphane, which has potential anti-cancer properties and is used to prepare various medicines. It also contains a lot of vitamins and minerals. The composition of kale and other cruciferous vegetables may thus help in the fight against oncological diseases.

For example, a case study in China concluded that the intake of cruciferous vegetables is indirectly linked to the risk of breast cancer.

In another study, an association was found between a high intake of deep vegetables and a lower risk of non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. Five or more servings a week showed a reduction in the risk of this lymphoma by up to 33%.

High intake of cruciferous vegetables, including kale, is also associated with a significant reduction in bladder cancer (up to 51%), prostate cancer (by 41%) or lung cancer (64 to 72%).

Chlorella

Many studies deal with the effects of various superfoods on apoptosis, the cell death of cancer cells. Chlorella vulgaris was shown to have apoptotic effects on a liver cancer cell line. Chlorella itself has antioxidant and potential chemopreventive effects.

Further research suggests that Chlorella contributes to improving the quality of life in people with breast cancer. Patients who regularly took Chlorella extract felt positive effects on their physical condition, reduced fatigue and relieved symptoms such as dry skin.

Matcha

Breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Because current treatment strategies are associated with serious side effects, researchers are constantly looking for new ones that have therapeutic value while benefiting patients and minimizing side effects.

Several studies looked at natural substances and their effects on cancer. Some of them suggest that Japanese Matcha green tea has antioxidant, antibacterial and even chemoprotective effects. A key component of this green tea is epigallocatechin-3-gallate, also known as EGCG, which may have potential antitumor effects on breast cancer cells.

Moringa

Another superfood worth mentioning is moringa. This superfood has various antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, but has also been found to have potential anti-cancer, chemoprotective or even radioprotective effects. Moringa extract is thus cytotoxic to various types of cancer cells, while at the same time having low toxicity to normal cells. Extracts from this superfood thus have a huge potential to develop over time as a full-fledged helper to support cancer treatment.

Green superfoods

Green superfoods contain one very useful ingredient, chlorophyll. Together with its derivatives, it is very effective in binding various carcinogens and also may have a chemoprotective effect. We also talked about other effects of green superfoods in a separate article called Green superfoods.

Acai

Chemoprotective and anticarcinogenic activities were observed in acai in various experimental models. As a result, it may support the reduction of the incidence and proliferation of tumor cells, their number, but also the size of the tumors themselves. In addition, it is characterized by possible anti-inflammatory properties. The results of studies suggest that acai may be used as a potential chemoprotective agent in the treatment of cancer.

Maqui

Various studies showed positive effects of maqui and other berries on various health problems in humans, even on some forms of cancer. The bioactive ingredients found in maqui may have a chemopreventive effect. So far, however, research has only focused on rodents, more specifically rats with esophageal cancer.

Quinoa

Quinoa also contains several substances that are being investigated in connection with anti-cancer effects. One of them is quercetin, which was shown to have a cytotoxic effect on ovarian cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. The second substance worth mentioning is kaempferol. It may have antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antitumor as well as cardioprotective effects. In addition, it is also used as a support in chemotherapy.

Yacon

Last but not least, another superfood is yacon, the tubers and leaves of which are used to alleviate the symptoms of urinary tract diseases or even diabetes. Some studies suggest that the active ingredients of yacon have anti-cancer potential in cervical and colon cancer.

Active ingredients that exhibit anti-cancer potential include sesqui terpene lactones (SL) such as enhydrin, uvalin and sonchifolin isolated from yacon leaves.

Conclusion

The impact of diet on cancer prevention is discussed by many scientists. Superfoods are among the most often debated items, as they have a high content of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and other valuable active substances. Try their impact and treat yourself to our products made from superfoods in organic quality.