Healthy Foods and Breast Cancer Awareness

Photo courtesy of: Crystal Woroniuk

Did you know October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month? Or have you been wondering what all those pink ribbons are about? :) Just about every store I've walked into and every website I've visited is doing their part to raise breast cancer awareness. That's a wonderful thing, and it inspired me to write this post. Since I'm all about healthy food and research, I rounded up some great foods, drinks, and vitamins that will help keep women protected from breast cancer. Feel free to weigh in and share with your friends and family.

Concord Grape Juice - A study published in the Journal of Medicinal Foods found that the Concord grape extract in purple Welch’s 100% Grape Juice has “breast cancer chemopreventive potential” because it protects healthy breast cells from DNA damage.

Apple (w/skin) - Research from Cornell University found that natural chemicals in apple peels can inhibit breast, liver, and colon cancer cell growth.

Milk (vitamin D, calcium) - A study from the Brigham and Women’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School found that pre-menopausal women who consume high amounts of vitamin D and calcium may reduce their risk of breast cancer by 40%. ChefMD, Dr. John LaPuma says milk is "The New Beverage of Choice for Younger Women Who Want to Reduce Breast Cancer." If you can, opt for organic milk.

Brussels Sprouts - Mark's Daily Apple mentioned a recent study that found Brussels sprouts to be powerful cancer fighters. Researchers concluded that less than one cup of Brussels sprouts a day may reduce the risk of breast, liver, colon, and bladder cancer and heart disease by up to 59% in women and 71% in men.

Broccoli Sprouts - The American Cancer Society says that a compound in broccoli sprouts, sulforaphane, may prevent and treat breast cancer (according to preliminary studies). Researchers believe that sulforaphane causes your body to make more of the enzymes that fight off cancer-causing chemicals.

Olive Oil - Dr. Roizen and Dr. Oz say that a healthy fat in olive oil, oleic acid, "may help disarm a gene that prompts breast cancer cells to grow and divide." That's a powerful fat! It can actually disarm a bad gene?!!

Also...

Fiber-Rich Foods - Researchers from the University of Leeds in England found that pre-menopausal women who eat 25-30 grams of fiber a day are 50% less likely to develop breast cancer than those who eat less fiber. Lead researcher Janet Cade, PhD said that their findings showed how a high fiber diet helps to regulate estrogen levels which are associated with breast cancer. (Cooking Light, Jul. 2007, p. 38). Easy ways to add fiber to your diet: whole-grain bread, high-fiber cereal, and fruits and vegetables.

FYI: This list is not meant to be a complete, one stop shop on foods to prevent breast cancer. Just a few superstars that I've read about.