Too much red and processed meat, alcohol, refined carbs, fried foods, and sugar can increase cancer risk. Likewise, a sedentary lifestyle and not eating enough phytochemical-rich foods can contribute to cancer development. While no food directly fights cancer, some provide nutrients that help the body prevent it. These “anti-cancer foods” are mostly plants rich in phytochemicals, compounds that help reduce the risk of chronic diseases, including cancer.
Phytochemicals, also called phytonutrients, are found in fruits and vegetables and are recommended by health experts to be eaten regularly. There are over 4,000 phytochemicals, each with unique benefits, so the best approach is to “eat the rainbow”—consume a variety of colorful produce to cover a broad spectrum of protective compounds.
