Tomatoes - A Red Juicy Cure

Tomatoes contain lycopene, an antioxidant that attacks roaming oxygen molecules, known as free radicals, that are suspected of triggering cancer. It appears that the hotter the weather, the more lycopene tomatoes produce. They also have vitamin C, an antioxidant which can prevent cellular damage that leads to cancer. Watermelons, carrots, and red peppers also contain these substances, but in lesser quantities. It is concentrated by cooking tomatoes. Scientists in Israel have shown that lycopene can kill mouth cancer cells. An increased intake of lycopene has already been linked to a reduced risk of breast, prostate, pancreas and colorectal cancer. (Note: Recent studies indicate that for proper absorption, the body also needs some oil along with lycopene.)

A famous Harvard study back in 1995 found that out of 48,000 men surveyed, those who ate 10 or more servings of tomatoes a week reduced their risk of prostate cancer by more than one-third. What’s more, they lowered their risk of aggressive prostate tumors (the kind that are really tough to treat) by half!

Tomato Nutritional Facts, for 100 grams:

Calories: 27

Calories from Fat: 2

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Total Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 7mg

Total Carbohydrates: 6g

Dietary Fiber: 2g

Sugars: 4g

Protein: 1g

Vitamins

Vitamin A: 25%

Vitamin C: 32%

Vitamin K: 15%

Calcium: 1%

Iron: 2%

Green and Black Tea - A Curing Beverage

Teas: Green Tea and Black tea contain certain antioxidants known as polyphenols (catechins) which appear to prevent cancer cells from dividing. Green tea is best, followed by our more common black tea (herbal teas do not show this benefit). According to a report in the July 2001 issue of the Journal of Cellular Biochemistry, these polyphenols that are abundant in green tea, red wine and olive oil, may protect against various types of cancer. Dry green tea leaves, which are about 40% polyphenols by weight, may also reduce the risk of cancer of the stomach, lung, colon, rectum, liver and pancreas, study findings have suggested.
Bladder Cancer. One study compared people with and without bladder cancer. Researchers found that women who drank black tea and powdered green tea were less likely to develop bladder cancer. Another clinical study by the same group of researchers revealed that bladder cancer patients (particularly men) who drank green tea had a substantially better 5-year survival rate than those who did not.
Ovarian Cancer. Clinical research conducted on ovarian cancer patients in China, researchers found that women who drank at least one cup of green tea per day survived longer than those who didn’t drink green tea. In fact, those who drank the most green tea, lived the longest.
Skin Cancer. The main polyphenol in green tea is epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG). Research suggests that EGCG and green tea polyphenols have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties that may help prevent the onset and growth of skin tumors.

Black Tea (brewed, prepared with distilled water) Nutritional Facts, for 100 grams:
Calories: 0
Calories from Fat: 0
Saturated Fat: 0g
Trans Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Total Carbohydrates: 0g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g
Viatmins
Vitamin A: 0%
Vitamin C: 0%
Calcium: 0%
Iron: 0%

Sweet Potato - A Nutritiously Sweet Cure

Sweet potatoes contain many anticancer properties, including beta-carotene, which may protect DNA in the cell nucleus from cancer-causing chemicals outside the nuclear membrane.

The healing power of the sweet potato: another good food that has received a bad name, taking blame for weight gain. The sweet potato is one of the most nutritious foods you can eat. It can help preserve your memory, control diabetes and reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer.

The sweet potato is a member of the morning glory family and except in name only, is not related to the white potato. It helps prevent cancer and heart disease. It is rich in complex carbohydrates and low in calories - there are only 117 calories in a 4-oz. serving. Sweet potatoes are used in controlling weight and conditions like diabetes. They are an easy way to get the heart healthy and to get cancer- fighting benefits into your diet. This information comes from the spokesperson for the American Diabetes Association, Pamela Savage-Marr, R.D.

A little known fact about beta-carotene and vitamins C and vitamin E is the protection they give the blood vessels and certain parts of the eye. The sweet potato gives you half of your daily value of vitamin C in only a 4-oz. serving. The same serving gives you 20 percent of the daily value of vitamin E.

When buying sweet potatoes, look for the ones with the most orange color. They have the most beta-carotene. They have little fat, but they do require a little fat to get the vitamins into your system. It is easy to get the required five to seven grams from other foods in your meal.

Raw Sweet Potato Nutritional Facts, for 100 grams:

Calories: 86

Calories from Fat: 0

Saturated Fat: 0g

Trans Fat: 0g

Total Fat: 0g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 55mg

Total Carbohydrates: 20g

Dietary Fiber: 3g

Sugars: 4g

Protein: 2g

Vitamins

Vitamin A: 284%

Vitamin C: 4%

Vitamin K: 2%

Calcium: 3%

Iron: 3%

Soy Products - A Foreign Cure

Soy products like tofu contain several types of phytoestrogens — weak, nonsteroidal estrogens that could help prevent both breast and prostate cancer by blocking and suppressing cancerous changes. There are a number of isoflavones in soy products, but research has shown that genistein is the most potent inhibitor of the growth and spread of cancerous cells. It appears to lower breast-cancer risk by inhibiting the growth of epithelial cells and new blood vessels that tumors require to flourish and is being scrutinized as a potential anti-cancer drug. However, there are some precautions to consider when adding soy to your diet. Eating up to 4 or 5 ounces of tofu or other soy a day is probably ok, but research is being done to see if loading up on soy could cause hormone imbalances that stimulate cancer growth. As a precaution, women who have breast cancer or are at high risk should talk to their doctors before taking pure isoflavone powder and pills, extracted from soy.

Tofu Nutritional Facts, for 100 grams:

Calories: 76

Calories from Fat: 40

Saturated Fat: 1g

Trans Fat: 0g

Total Fat: 5g

Cholesterol: 0mg

Sodium: 7mg

Total Carbohydrates: 2g

Dietary Fiber: 0g

Sugars: 0g

Protein: 8g

Vitamins

Vitamin A: 2%

Vitamin C: 0%

Calcium: 35%

Iron: 30%