9 Good Healthy Foods Consumed by Breast Cancer Sufferers

Maintaining a balanced diet is especially important if you diagnosed with breast cancer. So, what are good foods to eat? Check out the full list below.
Healthy Food for Breast Cancer Sufferers
One way that can be done to reduce the side effects of cancer treatment is to eat nutritious foods. In addition, consuming the right food can also reduce the worsening of the condition while increasing the body’s energy.
The following are various food recommendations that are good for breast cancer sufferers, including:
1. Fruits and Vegetables
Fruits and vegetables are rich in flavonoids and carotenoids, compounds that are believed to have various benefits for the body.
A study suggests that some of the following foods can help prevent breast cancer:
- Dark, green leafy vegetables, such as kale and broccoli.
- Fruits, especially berries and peaches.
- Nuts, fish, eggs and some meat.
In addition, beta-carotene compounds which are commonly found in carrots are also associated with a lower risk of breast cancer.
2. Fibrous and High Antioxidant Foods
Research on dietary fiber and its effect on breast cancer is currently inconclusive, but there are some studies suggesting that fiber may help protect against the disease.
Excess estrogen can be a factor in the development and spread of some types of breast cancer. Some treatments aim to prevent estrogen from interacting with breast cancer cells. High-fiber foods can support this process and speed up the elimination of estrogen.
Fiber supports the digestive system and regular elimination of wastes, including excess estrogen. The way fiber binds to estrogen in the gut can also help prevent the body from absorbing too much estrogen. These factors can help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and nuts provide fiber, but they also contain antioxidants, including beta carotene, vitamin C, and vitamin E. While their antioxidant properties can help prevent many diseases by reducing the number of free radicals.
Also Read: Why Can Breast Cancer Patients Be Immune To Treatment?
3. Healthy Fats
Fatty foods can lead to obesity and people with obesity appear to have a higher risk of developing cancer, including breast cancer.
Even so, some dietary fat is necessary for the body to work properly. Consuming polyunsaturated and monounsaturated fatty foods is one of them.
Some foods that contain this fat include:
- Olive oil.
- Avocado.
- Grains.
- Nuts.
In addition, salmon and herring also contain healthy polyunsaturated fats called omega-3. These fats are believed to help reduce the risk of breast cancer.
The health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids may be due to their ability to reduce inflammation. Inflammation can be a contributing factor to breast cancer.
4. Soybeans
Soybeans are a healthy food source that can help reduce the risk of breast cancer. This plant-based product is rich in protein, healthy fats, vitamins and minerals; but low in carbohydrates. Soybeans also contain antioxidants known as isoflavones.
In addition, soybeans can also help reduce bad cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Soybeans are present in foods such as:
- Know.
- Tempeh.
- Edamame.
- Soy milk.
- Soybeans.
Also Read: Regular Yogurt Consumption Lowers Breast Cancer Risk?
5. Whole Grains
Whole grains are unprocessed foods and are high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, phytochemicals, vitamins and minerals.
A study found that high fiber intake may have a positive effect by altering the hormonal actions of breast cancer and other hormone-dependent cancers.
Make sure that at least half of the grains in your daily diet are whole grains such as oats for breakfast, whole wheat bread for lunch, or brown rice for dinner. You can eat five or more servings a day.
6. Lean Protein
Good sources of protein for consumption are chicken, fish, and legumes such as beans or lentils. In addition, moderate consumption of soy or the equivalent of one to two servings of whole soybeans per day (such as tofu, edamame and soy milk) is also good for cancer sufferers.
Meanwhile, you should limit your intake of cured, salted, and smoked meats. Regular intake of processed meats may increase the risk of certain types of cancer. Processed meats are also high in sodium, so they can raise blood pressure in the short term.
7. Fermented Foods
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi and miso contain probiotics and other nutrients that may protect you from breast cancer. In addition, processed fermented milk products are also believed to be associated with a reduced risk of breast cancer.
8. Nuts
Some research shows that eating walnuts and other types of nuts can help protect against breast cancer.
According to a 2015 study, those who consumed the highest amount of walnuts, peanuts and almonds each week were 2-3 times less likely to develop breast cancer than those who did not eat any nuts.
Nuts contain fiber, vitamins and minerals. In particular, its high fiber content may help prevent breast cancer.
One study found that eating lots of nuts reduced the risk of breast cancer by up to 20% compared to a small intake of nuts.
Meanwhile, another study revealed that women who ate a lot of nuts had a reduced risk of breast cancer by up to 28% compared to those who ate a little nuts.
Also Read: Is it true that frequent use of deodorant triggers breast cancer?
9. Spices
The spice contains plant compounds that may help protect against breast cancer. These compounds include vitamins, fatty acids, and polyphenols.
For example, oregano contains the antioxidants carvacrol and rosmarinic acid. A 2017 study found that antioxidants exhibit significant anti-cancer effects against aggressive breast cancer cells.
Curcumin is the main active compound in turmeric which also has significant anticancer properties like apigenin and flavonoids which are concentrated in parsley.
Now, that’s a variety of foods for breast cancer sufferers that are good to eat every day. If you are unsure about consuming it, you should consult your doctor first. Hopefully this information is useful, Healthy Friends.
- Anonymous. 2022. The Best Foods To Eat When You Have Breast Cancer. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/the-best-foods-to-eat-when-you-have-breast-cancer/. (Accessed February 14, 2023)
- Dresden, Danielle. 2019. Dietary choices to help prevent breast cancer. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/316720. (Accessed October 26, 2021).
- Kubala, Jillian. 2022. What Foods Help Prevent Breast Cancer Risk?. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/breast-cancer-foods. (Accessed February 14, 2023)
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