Can Vegetables Really Help
Prevent Skin Cancer?


Studies show that vegetables really can 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. 
 
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. So, can green vegetables really help prevent skin cancer?
 
As the above studies indicate, the answer is yes.
 
Both recently updated, the Canadian and the American Food Guides have put an emphasis on the importance of increasing the intake of fruits and vegetables – especially those in the green leafy vegetable area.

Vegetables that belong to the cabbage family and greens 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 – an antioxidant, all of which have been effective in the prevention of skin cancer.

The American Institute for Cancer Research believes that diets low in carotenoids (such as lutein) are at a higher risk for cancer, because these carotenoids can inhibit the growth of several different kinds of cancer cells– like those found in breast, lung and stomach cancers.

Another vegetable under study is broccoli – which has demonstrated carcinogen blocking properties in cells.

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.

Along with vegetables, fruits also play a vital role in reducing tumors in the body. One of the fruits 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. These studies focus mostly on the use of the extract as a topical cream, as opposed to the effects from eating or drinking the actual fruit.

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. Another fruit family that showed similar cell change prevention is citrus fruit.

In a world affected so rampantly by various forms and degrees of cancer, it’s good to know that something as easy as adding more veggies to your meal plans can actually help protect you. Take this simple step to prevent cancer in your life. Listen to your mother and eat your vegetables.

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Kind of makes you want to take a stab at growing some vegetables! Everyone knows that the best nutritional punch is from garden fresh veggies.  There's nothing like them!
 
 
 
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