According to statistics published by the American Cancer Society, close to 228,000 people have been diagnosed with lung cancer in the United States in 2019. While it is true that most people are older than 65 years when they are diagnosed with this type of cancer, it is important to note that the condition is preventable to an extent.
Specific lifestyle choices and dietary changes can go a long way in reducing the chances of a person developing cancer. Taking steps such as quitting smoking and not having a sedentary lifestyle are immensely helpful. Individuals who may be at risk of developing cancer must also be very careful to avoid second-hand smoke. But, one of the most essential parts of preventing any sort of disease or reducing its chances includes eating the right sort of diet. While there are no foods that help prevent lung cancer completely, they can play a role in reducing the risk of getting it faced by an individual.
Check out the list of superfoods that can help reduce the risk of lung cancer below.
1. Cruciferous veggies
Cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts are potent cancer fighters. They are like a small army that guards against carcinogens and have been proven to reduce cancer risk by at least 40% in some studies. Substances like glucosinolates, indole-3-carbinol, and sulforaphane found in these vegetables work efficiently to repair damages caused by cancer cells. Not just the three vegetables mentioned above, even turnip, radish, collard greens, watercress, and wasabi have powerful cancer-fighting properties.
2. Orange produce
Apart from being a rich source of Vitamin C, the list of orange and red-colored vegetables and fruits like carrots, oranges, lemons, pumpkins, papayas, and bell peppers contain carotenoids like beta-cryptoxanthin and antioxidants, that help prevent cancer. So, add some variety and color into your daily diet. Make a healthy fruit bowl, a colorful salad, or puree these vegetables into a soup and have them as a snack or an entire meal.
3. Vitamin B9 and folate
Folate or vitamin B9-rich foods like green spinach, kale, arugula, asparagus, legumes such as beans, peas and lentils, and eggs are capable of reducing the risk of lung cancer. Lutein, an antioxidant present in folate-rich vegetables, fights carcinogens effectively.
4. Nuts and seeds
Nuts and seeds like wheat germ, flax seeds, sunflower seeds, walnuts, and almonds are a good source of protein and Vitamin E. They contain antioxidants that help prevent lung cancer.
5. Onions, etc…
Onions, shallots, leeks, garlic, and chives contain a chemical called allium that has medicinal properties. The selenium and flavonoids present in these pungent herbs act as blood cleansers, lower high blood pressure and high cholesterol, and are antifungal and antibacterial too. As natural antibiotics, these vegetables not only add flavor to your dishes but also reduce the risk of lung cancer and other types of cancers.
6. Green tea
Green tea contains flavonoids that help lower lung cancer risk by at least 60% in people who are not susceptible to cancer genes. Include a cup of hot green tea in your everyday diet.
All the above-mentioned superfoods must be had in their fresh form, rather than as supplements because that enables the body to absorb the nutrients more easily. Remember that enjoying a healthy lifestyle and consuming these foods are not a 100% foolproof method to prevent lung cancer, but they certainly help reduce risk to some extent. It is advisable to consult your doctor before making major changes to your diet.