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Can Green Vegetables Really Help Prevent Skin Cancer?
According to researchers who studied over 1,000 adults over an 11-year
period, it was determined that increasing their intake of green leafy vegetables
decreased the incidence of skin cancer, specifically squamous cell carcinoma, by
41 percent. Can green vegetables really help prevent skin cancer? As
the above study indicates, the answer is yes.
Vegetables such as spinach, kale, and collard greens could decrease skin cancer.
Moreover, these vegetables contain a variety of vitamins and minerals such as:
vitamins C and E, flavonoids, folic acid (especially high in leafy green
vegetables), and lutein, all of which have been effective in the prevention of
skin cancer.
Greens that belong to the cabbage family have also been known to help prevent
cancer. These greens are also antioxidants which prevent dangerous
substances from entering the body.
In another study, people who previously had skin cancer had a 55 percent
decrease in squamous cell carcinoma with increased intakes of green leafy
vegetables.
Along with green vegetables, fruits also play a vital role in reducing tumors in
the body. One of the fruits which is currently being studied is
pomegranate fruit extract. The antioxidant component is higher in
pomegranate than in red wine and green tea. Researchers further claim that
pomegranate extract possesses anti-skin tumor promoting effects.
A similar study found that tannic acid and ellagic acid, which are polyphenols
found in dark red and purple fruits such as pomegranates, as well as
raspberries, blackberries, and cranberries, may slow skin's aging process.
Various other studies have shown that pomegranates possess skin cancer
prevention capabilities and can reduce the damage done by the sun's UVB rays.
In addition, grapes contain a chemical known as resveratrol, which is also an
antioxidant and may prevent cell damage before it begins. In fact, red and
purple grapes are the richest sources of resveratrol.
Tomatoes have the anti-cancer compound known as lycopene. Studies have
shown that lycopene prevents prostate cancer. In addition, lycopene also
has been evaluated as an effective component in the protection against breast,
lung, stomach, and pancreatic cancer.
As you can see getting a varied diet with fruits and vegetables that are rich in
color may help prevent skin cancer and many other diseases. Plus all of
the above foods taste great!
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