Cancer And Super Foods: Their World

Cancer And Super Foods: Their World The most dreaded and rampart diseases today are diabetes and cancer. The interesting thing is that recent researches have proved that both these can be controlled by nutrition and diet. In the same league as social and preventive medicine c is the mantra for today's health conscious people.

Cancer is a condition when the cells in the body start behaving abnormally and divide at a very fast rate. This interferes with the normal functioning of the body and is the cause of alarm.

Progressive researchers have identified 10 super foods, which help in controlling and preventing cancer. No cure is on offer as yet, but they certainly work like magic foods. What follows, will be your visit and a peep in the world of these Super foods.

Apples

Berries

Broccoli Sprouts

Garlic

Pineapple

Pumpkin

Soyabeans

Spinach

Tea

Tomato The Doctor's Enemy: Apples

Since childhood we have been hearing this adage; "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". Sympathetic towards the doctor fraternity I fully support the proposition of consuming apples to the hearts' content. It is both appetising and beneficial to health.

History

History speaks for itself. Juicy red apples have been since the roman times. Even Cleopatra has been shown consuming it. So tracing its history would be a Herculean task. Regarding its cultivation, Kashmir in India is a synonym for apples. Himachal Pradesh comes a close second.

From the botanical perspective

Belonging to the rose family, apples are the entire receptacle, which is eaten as fruit. The receptacle becomes swollen, juicy and fleshy to impart the characteristic feel to the fruit. Fresh apples have a refreshing aroma associated with them.The Doctor's Enemy: Apples

Nutritional qualities

On studying the nutritional qualities, one can say that the age-old adage is slightly overrated! Apples are certainly not the best of fruits but still are good enough. Containing respectable amounts of soluble and insoluble fibre, a fair amount of vitamin C and on getting a clean peel, consuming it along with the fruit will give you ß-carotene as well. Mineral found in it are potassium and boron. The darkening that is observed on leaving it for some time after it is cut is not due to iron, but enzymes present in it.

Nutrient values for a 155 g medium apple with skin The Doctor's Enemy: Apples

Health Benefits

Being fibrous and juicy it serves as a good tooth cleaner and gum stimulator.

It is found especially useful in treatment of arthritis, owing to the ability of ridding the body of unwanted waste.

It reduces the blood cholesterol levels, by acting on “bad” LDL cholesterol. Most of the fibre in apple is of the insoluble kind, which helps in the prevention of diverticulosis and colon cancer. Berries: A Myriad Of Colours

Rasp, blue, black, straw, red, Indian and Leh..do not try reasoning out any relation between the above list and get confused, as your predicament is soon coming to an end. All these names are used to signify berries of all kinds and varieties. Welcome to the colourful world of berries. For convenience just add berries as a suffix to all.

History

Generally berries like blue, cran and redberries grew in North America. Rarely found growing in Europe and has only been recently introduced in Australia. Indian berry and Leh berry are exclusive to India. Strawberries were grown in Europe and Wimbledon has a strange relationship to cream and strawberries.

From the botanical perspective

Generally berries belong to the heath (Ericaceae) family. Blueberries grow in clusters and range in size from that of a small pea to a marble. Indian berry grows on trees and as single fruit. The skin surrounds a semi-transparent flesh. Berries: A Myriad Of Colours

Nutritional qualities

Generally all berries are rich in ellagic acid, carotenoids and pectin. The fibre they contribute to the diet is generally high as they are eaten with the skin and seeds and all. Raspberries are also especially rich in potassium, which is a vital mineral in regulating blood pressure. Strawberries are also an excellent source of Vitamin C. Strawberries as well as other berries are popular foods for their high anti-oxidant powers. They are al rich in antioxidants and cancer fighting phytochemicals. Broccoli Sprouts: Tailed Wonders

Broccoli mentioned and we visualise shiny green clustered vegetable, which is a treat both to the eyes as well as taste buds. But broccoli sprouts, as a cancer buster is news!!

History

Just like sprouts, the roots of broccoli reach to Italy in ancient Roman times when it was developed from wild cabbage, a plant that more resembles collards than broccoli. US got a taste of it in colonial times, popularized by Italian immigrants who brought this prized vegetable with them to the New World.

From the botanical perspective

Broccoli belongs to the cruciferous family of cauliflower, cabbage, mustard and radish. Broccolo, its Italian name, means "cabbage sprout." They are in the form of florets and look like a complex flower along with the entire inflorescence. The season for broccoli is from October through May when it has the best flavour and is of the highest quality. For your info only!

Broccoli contains dithiolthiones, which trigger the formation of enzymes that may stop carcinogens from damaging DNA. Now, researchers have discovered that 3-day-old sprouts of certain crucifers, including broccoli and cauliflower, contain 10-100 times higher levels of sulforaphane than do the corresponding mature plants.

Broccoli sprouts are powerhouse of vitamin C. The ascorbic acid content is phenomenal. It also contains beta-carotene. Sprouts contain 50 times more cancer fighting phytochemicals than regular broccoli. Sulforaphane is specially mentioned in cancer treatment.