You may have eaten many fruits without knowing their health benefits. well, This article will provide you with the best sort of information you seek about the fruits that can prevent cancer. It is a growing threat to the current society as it’s the prevalence when compared to other non -communicable diseases are getting higher now.

However doctors are always saying that :

Prevention is better than cure

So what if you can simply protect you and your loved ones from cancer? Well, the answer is: you can prevent cancer easily by including more fruits in your daily diet. So read this article and find out how important these fruits in your fight against cancer and how easy for you to prevent cancer!!

01. Apples

Four Red Apple Fruits
Apples
(Source :Pexels.com)

Apples contain many biochemicals such as phenolic acids, carotenoids, and flavonoids which have antioxidant effects.  In addition, apples contain dietary fibers which also can prevent cellular damage due to oxidation.

Anthocyanin is considered as one of the main chemical compound responsible for anticancer effects in apples. Some scientists suggest that apples have the ability to prevent the occurrence of cancers like,

  • Lung cancer
  • Ovary cancer
  • cancer in esophagus
  • Colon cancer
  • Stomach cancer 
  • Breast cancer in the human body. (1)

Why apples are good??

Many scientists around the world have done many studies focusing on experimenting with the anticancer effects of apples. Do you know why? Because Apples are rich in anthocyanins when compared with many other fruits.

According to some studies when apple peel extracts rich with anthocyanin, are given to cancer patients it showed a significant reduction in cell proliferation of cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. (1)

Particularly in the same experiments, the scientists found that at very low concentrations like 45µg/ml (Micrograms)a 50% inhibition can be achieved and total inhibition can be achieved at a concentration of 70 µg/ml. Isn’t that fascinating??

Furthermore, it was revealed that these extracts have the ability to control signal pathways of different enzymes involved in polyamine biosynthesis which act as potential regulators of cancer and stimulation of cancer.

Examples

  • In one investigation among ten fruits rich in anthocyanin fractions, apple showed the most significant reduction of cell proliferation ( a kind of multiplication of cancer cells ) in cancer cells .Especially this was observed for breast cancer cells. So If you are a woman within the age of 30-50 try to consume apples as a habit. You won’t regret it!
  • If you consume more apples, catechins along with other bioactive compounds in apples can reduce the risk of lung cancer in your body. You will get better results if apples are consumed along with onions in the diet.
  • Apart from above, the phenolic mixtures of crushed and extracted juice of apples can also prevent the oxidative damage on colonic cells, Which may protect you from colon cancer. The most active compound here is the procyanidins (A form of flavonoid.produced by catechins and epicatechins) and pectins. 

Now you know how important apples in the diet. Consume more apples in a healthy way and prevent your body from cancer.

02. Annona

Annona for health
Annona

Phyto-chemical profile

Annona contains phenolics, flavanol triglycerides, and essential oils that give it very important properties. Among them, acetogenin compounds like javoricin, arianacin, and annopentocin are the most important compounds responsible for anticancer effects. (2)

You may not be aware, but there were a number of studies on the significant anticancer effects of Annona. Most of the scientists conducted their experiments with different plant part extracts. However, acetogenin was also tested in these experiments. These extracts were used in different cancer cell lines.

what are the benefits??

  • Organic extract of (ethyl acetate) Annona leaf can be used against colon cancer cells and lung cancer cells. The leaf extract has the ability to avoid the proliferation of cancer cell lines.
  • Apart from that the same extract have the amazing ability to downregulate invasion and migration of cancer cells
  • Moreover, according to some other research experts, we can use this plant extract for preventing leukemic cells.

In addition to the above studies, some other different studies also suggest that you can consume this fruit and the boiled leaf extract to avoid breast cancer. Anticancer and antitumor effects of Annona can not only prevent the incidence of breast cancer but also stabilize the disease expansion if you are a cancer patient.

03. Grapes

Grape Fruits
Grapes
(Source :Pexels.com)

what do you know about anticancer effects of grapes ??

Well, according to certain research experts grape juices have more potential health benefits with regard to the prevention of cancer. The anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of grapes act as protection against cellular damage. Because long-term inflammation leads to cancer.

Surely Long- term exposure of cells to oxidative stress can cause damage to cellular structures. The damaged structure causes cellular dysfunction leading to cancer with time. Particularly grape is rich with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agents. Therefore it can prevent cancers like:

  • Colon cancer
  • Breast cancer
  • Prostate cancer

Phytochemical profile

According to the conducted study results; The most important compound beneficial for cancer prevention is resveratrol. Resveratrol mainly prevents breast cancer in women. The compounds related to resveratrol in cancer prevention are,

  • proanthocyanidins
  • Catechins
  • stilbenes

What are the cancer preventive effects??

If you have a genetic history of breast cancer, try to eat more grapes in the daily diet. Clearly it will to save yourself from cancer.

In terms of prostate cancer, grape seed extracts are more beneficial. This seed extract has the ability to slow down the growth of cancer cell lines. Stilbenes are the compounds responsible for preventing prostate cancer. (3)

Moreover, according to a scientific study done in 2011, the same seed extract along with resveratrol is better for the prevention of colon cancer and for the treatment of colon cancer patients.

However, the main compounds responsible for these effects are anthocyanins and flavonoids. Some experts suggest that red and black grapes have better functional benefits than green grapes as their anthocyanin contents are high.

Particularly for colon health, you need more dietary fibers. Apart from different phytochemicals fibers are rich in grapes.Obviously the combination of antioxidants and dietary fiber has a collective effect on cancer. Therefore Antioxidants along with the dietary fibers in the fruit give it special anticancer properties.

04. Blueberries

blueberry cancer prevntion
Blueberries
(Source :Pexels.com)

Blueberry is a soft, attractive fruit that contains many phytochemicals.Most probably you may eat them without knowing any health benefits. let’s see what are the wonders of blueberry that you are not aware of !!!. This fruit is rich in antioxidants.

Phytochemicals

  • Phenolics
  • Anthocyanins
  • Pyruvic acids.

Cancer preventing effects

Clearly Pyruvic acid along with anthocyanin have the ability to slow the cancer cell proliferation. Furthermore, these chemicals can prevent carcinogenesis thereby reducing the risk of cancer occurrence. Besides blueberries act as radiosensitizers for the treatment of cervical cancer. (4

Blueberry anthocyanins have apoptotic properties other than anti-proliferative effects on cancer cells. Moreover, these compounds act as chemopreventive agents.

Effect of anthocyanins

However, According to some research study results on the Anticancer ability of these anthocyanins, surely the ability increases with the concentration. Therefore to make a more effective treatment, a higher concentration is important (5)

Blueberry proanthocyanidins can facilitate the induction of apoptosis in colorectal cancer cell lines. This allows it to act as an important chemoprevention agent.

Furthermore, blueberry husk along with probiotics can also be used against colon cancer. Because of the probiotics aid gut health while antioxidants in blueberry husk prevent cancer growth. However, their combination can preserve your gut health.

Vitamin C to reduce cancer induction

Apart from anthocyanin blueberry contain vitamin C which has the ability to significantly reduce tumor induction. Besides some studies on mice suggest that blueberry consumption has the potential to prevent ovarian cancer too. because it can downregulate cyclooxygenase levels which induce cancer.

05. Strawberries

cancer prevention foods

As you know Strawberry is a widely consumed delicious berry fruit. In the late decades, There is an increased concern on berry fruits like strawberry as they have high fiber content and excellent nutrient composition. Besides, it has an amazing phytochemical profile too.

What are the bio-active compounds??

  • Essential minerals
  • Vitamin C
  • Folate
  • Phenolic acids
  • stilbenes
  • Flavonoids
  • Tannins

Among the other bioactive compounds mentioned above Strawberry is rich with ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) and folate when compared to other fruits. Especially it is one of the fruit with the richest vitamin C content. (6)

All the phytochemicals including vitamin C, polyphenols, flavonoids, and tannins have good antioxidant properties that can scavenge free radicals that lead to cancer induction. However, most of the cancers occur due to ;

  • long-term inflammation
  • Oxidative reactions
  • Metabolic syndrome (obesity)

What are the health benefits??

According to most experimental studies conducted by research experts, They suggest that strawberries have important antioxidant and anticancer properties which can prevent the above effects. Therefore you can ensure your health with strawberry consumption in daily diet.

Especially resveratrol which belongs to the stilbenes group has the key roles in cancer prevention. This may be due to their ability to downregulate proteins suppressing apoptosis and control cancer cell growth and cell transformation.

06. Raspberry

Raspberry for cancer
Raspberry
(Source: pexels.com)

Have you ever thought an attractive fruit like raspberry would have amazing solutions for cancer?
Well, Raspberry is a fruit with a deliciously soft taste. There are different raspberry varieties all around the world which include excellent composition of bioactive compounds that aids to facilitate your health condition.

What are those bio -active compounds??

  • Tannins (ellagitannins)
  • anthocyanins
  • essential minerals
  • Vitamin C

What are the health benefits??

Apart from the above phytochemicals, dietary fiber is also an important compound that has a great deal in cancer prevention. Raspberry contains a considerable amount of fiber which can combine synergically with other antioxidant compounds to prevent cancer. (7)

However, most studies on raspberry suggest that phytochemicals extracted from raspberries have the ability to inhibit oxidative damage and decrease cancer cell proliferation.

Furthermore, experts say that phytochemicals in raspberries can not only prevent cell proliferation, but also the cancer cell initiation and development in the body.

Author

Healthy food is one of the ultimate factor for healthy long-lasting life. As a Food scientist who completed BSc (Hons) Degree on Food Science and Technology, I like to use my knowledge in food science to help people. I'm interested in each and every topic related with modern food related health problems because it is the leading factor for most of the health problems today. So I would like to direct my efforts in educating people to lead a healthy life with healthy meals.

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