Reader\'s Digest IN 02.2020

Reader’s Digest

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The Anti-

Cancer Diet

H

ere’s some news that may be

heartening for those with a

family history of breast cancer.

There is a growing body of evidence

that suggests that appropriate lifestyle

modifications can significantly reduce

the risk of this disease even in women

genetically predisposed to breast

cancer. The least expensive yet most

powerful weapon in the preventive

strategy is the food on your plate.

TRUST PLANTS AND DAIRY

The general dictum is that a diet rich

in plant-based foods has immense

cancer-fighting power. Besides the

several compounds present in fruits

and vegetables that reduce the risk, it

is the fibre present in them that lowers

the oestrogen levels in the body (low

oestrogen means low risk). Women

who consume adequate low-fat dairy

also seem to be better protected,

probably because of the high calcium

available through this food group.

Also, a high-fibre plant-based diet

prevents obesity, and maintaining a

healthy weight is a well-established

aspect of breast cancer prevention in

postmenopausal women. Check the

following list of specific food groups

that have cancer-fighting properties.

CRUCIFEROUS CURES

Broccoli and other vegetables from the

cruciferous family such as cauliflower

and cabbage (all colours) contain phy-

tochemicals (glucosinolates), which

produce a protective enzyme that may

FOOD

A powerful weapon

in the fight against

breast cancer is the

food on your plate

by Neelanjana Singh