Phytonutrients In Preventing Cancer

Plants contain many compounds that not only protect them against such foes as bacteria, fungus, and bad weather but also contain substances that can also prevent disease in humans. The general term for these compounds is phytonutrients or phytochemicals. These phytonutrients have also been recently discovered by scientists to prevent cancer. It help explain why a diet high in fruits and vegetables is associated with lower rates of cancer.

Here are some of the phytonutrients that have recently made news and where you can find them in foods.

* Allium and allyl sulfides in garlic, onions, leeks , found to reduce risk of stomach and colon cancer.

* Anthocyanins, red pigments found in red grape skins, citrus, berries, and yams. These are antioxidants said to protect our body’s DNA from damage.

* Catechins protect against stomach cancer and are found in berries and black and green tea.

* Ellagic acid inhibits cancer cells and detoxifies certain carcinogens. Found in fruits and vegetables but particularly high in apples, berries, cherries, grapes, and walnuts, as well as other nuts.

* Indoles are present in broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, turnips, and dark green leafy vegetables. Indoles act on enzymes, which are important to the body’s cancer fighting mechanisms.

* Isoflavanoids. Genistein and daidzein found in soybeans appear to deactivate excess estrogen and thus lower the risk of hormonelike cancers of the breast, cervix, and uterus.

* Lignans present in flax seed and whole grains block estrogen and are thought to reduce the risk of breast cancer.

* Lycopenes carotenoids and a redish pigment, are associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer and cancers of the digestive tract. Found in tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots.

* Monoterpenes help prevent cancer by increasing the production of liver enzymes that detoxify carcinogenic substances.

* P-coumaric acid occur in such common fruits and vegetables as pineapple, strawberries, peppers, and tomatoes. They detoxify nitrosamines which are known to be carcinogenic.

* Polyphenols in green tea are found to lower the risk of stomach cancer.

From these long list of active compound, you have a wide choice of ingredients to cook with if you want to follow a cancer-protective diet.