What food kill cancer cells? 12 Foods That Could Lower Your Risk of Cancer

What you eat can affect many aspects of your health, such as your risk of developing chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

The evolution of cancer, in particular, has been shown to be greatly influenced by your diet.

Many foods contain compounds that might help decrease the growth of cancer.

There are a number of studies showing that a higher intake of foods could be associated with a lower risk of the disease.

This guide will delve into the research and look at 13 foods which may decrease your risk of cancer.
1. Broccoli
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Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a plant compound found in cruciferous vegetables that may have potent anticancer properties.

1 test-tube study showed that sulforaphane reduced the size and quantity of breast cancer cells by up to 75 percent (1Trusted Source).

Similarly, an animal study found that treating mice with sulforaphane helped kill off prostate cancer cells and reduced tumor volume by more than 50% (2Trusted Source).

Some studies also have found that a higher intake of cruciferous vegetables like broccoli could be connected to a lower risk of colorectal cancer.

1 analysis of 35 studies demonstrated that eating more cruciferous vegetables was associated with a lower risk of colon and esophageal cancer (3Trusted Source).

Including broccoli with a couple of meals weekly may include some benefits.

However, remember that the research hasn't looked at cancer can impact .

Instead, it has been limited to test-tube, animal and observational studies which either investigated the effects of a specific compound, or the effects of cruciferous vegetables in broccoli. Thus, more studies are necessary.

Broccoli contains sulforaphane, a compound that has been shown to cause tumor cell death and reduce tumor size in test-tube and animal studies. A higher intake of cruciferous vegetables may be associated with a lower risk of cancer.

2. Carrots

Studies have found that eating more carrots is connected to a decreased risk of certain kinds of cancer.

For example, an investigation looked at the results of five studies and concluded that eating carrots may reduce the risk of stomach cancer by up to 26 percent (4Trusted Source).

Another study found that a higher intake of carrots was associated with 18% lower odds of developing prostate cancer (5Trusted Source).

One study examined the diets of 1,266 participants with and without. It found that smokers who didn't eat carrots were three times as likely to develop lung cancer, compared to those who ate carrots more than once a week (6Trusted Source).

Consider incorporating carrots into your diet as a healthy side dish just a few times to increase your intake and potentially lower your risk of cancer.

Still, remember that these studies show an association between carrot consumption and cancer, but don't account.

Some studies have found an association between carrot consumption and a decreased risk of prostate cancer, lung and stomach cancer.

3. Beans

Beans are high in fiber, which some studies have discovered may help protect against colorectal cancer (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

1 study followed 1,905 people with a history of pancreatic tumors, and found that those who consumed more cooked, dried beans tended to have a decreased risk of tumor recurrence (10Trusted Source).

An animal study also found that feeding rats black beans or navy beans and then causing colon cancer blocked the growth of cancer cells by up to 75% (11Trusted Source).

According to those results, eating a few servings of beans may increase your fiber consumption and help lower the chance of developing cancer.

However, the research that is current is limited to animal studies and studies that reveal association but not causation. More studies are needed to examine this in humans.

Beans are high in fiber, which might be protective against cancer. Human and animal studies have found that a higher intake of beans could lower the risk of colon cancer and tumors.

4. Berries

Berries are high in anthocyanins, plant pigments which have antioxidant properties and may be associated with a reduced risk of cancer.

In one human study, 25 individuals with pancreatic cancer have been treated with bilberry extract for seven days, which was found to decrease the growth of cancer cells by 7 percent (12Trusted Source).

Another small study gave freeze-dried black raspberries to individuals with oral cancer and showed that it decreased levels of particular markers associated with cancer development (13Trusted Source).

One animal study found that giving rats freeze-dried black plaques reduced esophageal tumor incidence by up to 54% and decreased the number of tumors by up to 62% (14Trusted Source).

Likewise, another animal study showed that giving rats a berry extract was found to inhibit several biomarkers of cancer (15Trusted Source).

Based on these findings, including a serving or two of berries in your diet each day may help inhibit the growth of cancer.

Keep in mind that these are animal and observational studies looking at a concentrated dose of extract's effects, and more research is needed.

Some animal and test-tube studies have found that the compounds in berries can decrease spread and the growth of certain types of cancer.

5. Cinnamon

Cinnamon is well-known because of its health benefits, including its ability to decrease blood sugar and ease inflammation (16Trusted Supply, 17Trusted Source).

Moreover, some test-tube and animal studies have found that cinnamon may help block the spread of cancer cells.

A test-tube study found that cinnamon extract was able to reduce the spread of cancer cells and cause their death (18Trusted Source).

Another test-tube study demonstrated that cinnamon essential oil suppressed the growth of head and neck cancer cells, and also significantly reduced tumor size (19Trusted Source).

An animal study also revealed that cinnamon extract induced cell death in tumor cells, and also decreased how much microbes grew and spread (20Trusted Source).

Adding 1/2--1 tsp (2--4 g ) of cinnamon on your diet daily may be beneficial in cancer prevention, and may come with other benefits as well, such as reduced blood glucose and decreased inflammation.

However, more studies are needed to understand how cinnamon may influence cancer growth in humans.

Test-tube and animal studies have found that cinnamon extract may have anticancer properties and may help reduce the growth and spread of tumors. More research in humans is needed.

6. Nuts

Research has found that eating nuts may be connected to a lower risk of certain kinds of cancer.

As an example, a study looked at the diets of 19,386 individuals and found that eating a greater amount of nuts was correlated with a decreased risk of dying from cancer (21Trusted Source).

Another study followed 30,708 participants for up to 30 years and found that eating nuts often was correlated with a decreased risk of colorectal, pancreatic and endometrial cancers (22Trusted Source).

Other studies have found that specific kinds of nuts may be linked to a lower cancer risk.

For instance, Brazil nuts are high in selenium, which might help protect against lung cancer in people with a low selenium status (23Trusted Source).

Likewise, one animal study demonstrated that feeding mice walnuts decreased the growth rate of breast cancer cells by 80 percent and reduced the number of tumors by 60 percent (24Trusted Source).

These results suggest that adding a serving of nuts to your diet every day may lower your risk of developing cancer in the future.

However, more research in humans are needed to determine whether nuts are responsible for this association, or if other factors are involved.

Some studies have found that an increased intake of nuts may decrease the risk of cancer. Research shows that some specific forms like Brazil nuts and walnuts may also be linked to a lower risk of cancer.

7. Olive Oil

Olive oil is loaded with health benefits, so it's no wonder it's one of the staples of the Mediterranean diet.

Several studies have even found that a higher intake of olive oil might help protect against cancer.

One massive review composed of 19 studies showed that people who consumed the greatest amount of olive oil had a lower chance of developing breast cancer and cancer of the digestive tract than those with the lowest intake (25Trusted Source).

Another study looked at the cancer rates in 28 countries around the world and found that regions with a higher intake of olive oil had decreased rates of colorectal cancer (26Trusted Source).

Swapping out other oils in your diet for olive oil is a simple way to take advantage of its health benefits. You can scatter it over salads and cooked vegetables, or try using it in your marinades for meat, poultry or fish.

Though these studies reveal that there might be an association between olive oil intake and cancer, there are likely other factors involved too. More studies are needed to look at the direct effects of olive oil on cancer in people.

Several studies have demonstrated that a higher intake of olive oil may be associated with a reduced risk of certain types of cancer.

8. Turmeric

Turmeric is a spice well-known because of its health-promoting properties. Curcumin, its active ingredient, is a compound with anti-inflammatory, antioxidant as well as anticancer effects.

One study looked at the effects of curcumin on 44 patients with lesions in the colon which could have become cancerous. After 30 days, 4 grams of curcumin daily reduced the number of lesions present by 40 percent (27Trusted Source).

In a test-tube study, curcumin was also found to decrease the spread of colon cancer cells by targeting a specific enzyme related to cancer growth (28Trusted Source).

Another test-tube study showed that curcumin helped kill off head and neck cancer cells (29Trusted Source).

Curcumin has also been shown to be effective in slowing the growth of lung, breast and prostate cancer cells in other test-tube studies (30Trusted Source, 31Trusted Source, 32Trusted Source).

For the best results, aim for at least 1/2--3 tsp (1--3 grams) of ground turmeric daily. Use it to add flavor to foods, and pair it to help boost its absorption.

Turmeric contains curcumin, a chemical that's been shown to decrease the growth of many types of lesions and cancer in individual and test-tube studies.

9. Citrus Fruits

Eating citrus fruits such as oranges, limes, grapefruits and lemons has been associated with a lower risk of cancer.

1 large study found that participants who ate a higher quantity of citrus fruits had a lesser chance of developing cancers of the digestive and upper respiratory tracts (33Trusted Source).

A review looking at nine studies also found that a greater intake of citrus fruits was connected to a reduced risk of pancreatic cancer (34Trusted Source).

Finally, a review of 14 studies showed that a high intake, or at least three servings per week, of citrus fruit decreased the risk of stomach cancer by 28% (35Trusted Source).

These studies suggest that including a few servings of fruits in your diet each week may decrease your risk of developing certain kinds of cancer.

Keep in mind that these studies do not account for other variables that could be involved. More studies are needed on how cancer growth affect.

Studies have found that a higher intake of citrus fruits could reduce the risk of certain types of cancers, such as pancreatic and stomach cancers, along with cancers of the digestive and respiratory tracts.

10. Flaxseed

High in fiber as well as heart-healthy fats, flaxseed can be a healthy addition to your diet.

Some research shows that it might even help decrease cancer growth and help kill off cancer cells.

In one study, 32 women with breast cancer received a flaxseed muffin daily or a placebo for over a month.

At the conclusion of the analysis, the flaxseed group had decreased levels of specific markers that measure tumor growth, as well as an increase in cancer cell death (36Trusted Source).

In another study, 161 men with prostate cancer were treated with flaxseed, which was found to decrease the growth and spread of cancer cells (37Trusted Source).

Flaxseed is high in fiber, which other studies have found to be protective against colorectal cancer (7Trusted Source, 8Trusted Source, 9Trusted Source).

Try adding one tablespoon (10 grams) of ground flaxseed into your diet every day by mixing it into smoothies, sprinkling it over cereal and cereal, or adding it to your favorite baked goods.

Some studies have found that flaxseed may reduce cancer development in breast and prostate cancers. It is also high in fiber, which might decrease the risk of cancer.

11. Tomatoes

Lycopene is a chemical found in tomatoes that is responsible for its vibrant red color as well as its anticancer properties.

Studies have found that an increased intake of lycopene and tomatoes could lead to a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

A review of 17 studies also found that a higher intake of raw berries, cooked tomatoes and lycopene were all associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (38Trusted Source).

Another study of 47,365 people discovered that a higher intake of tomato sauce, in particular, was linked to a lower chance of developing prostate cancer (39Trusted Source).

To help increase your intake, include a serving or two of tomatoes in your diet each day by adding them.

Still, bear in mind that these studies show they don't account, although that there may be an association between eating berries and a reduced risk of prostate cancer.

A number of studies have found that a higher intake of lycopene and tomatoes could lower the risk of prostate cancer. However, more studies are necessary.

12. Garlic

The active component in garlic is allicin, a compound which has been shown to kill cancer cells in several test-tube research (40Trusted Source, 41Trusted Source, 42Trusted Source).

Studies have found an association between intake and a lower risk of certain types of cancer.

1 analysis of 543,220 participants found that people who ate lots of Allium vegetables, such as garlic, onions, leeks and shallots, had a lower risk of stomach cancer than those who rarely consumed them (43Trusted Source).

A study of 471 men showed that a greater intake of garlic was associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer (44Trusted Source).

Another study found that participants who ate fruit, as well as lots of garlic, deep yellow vegetables, dark green vegetables and onions, were less likely to develop colorectal tumors. However, this study did not isolate the effects of garlic (45Trusted Source).

Based on these findings, including 2--5 grams (approximately one clove) of fresh garlic into your diet daily can help you make the most of its health-promoting properties.

However, regardless of the promising results demonstrating an association between garlic and a reduced risk of cancerstudies are needed to examine whether other factors play a role.