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This is an ongoing series about foods that fight cancer.
Citrus fruits, green tea, red wine, and chocolate are all food items that we can easily add to our diet daily, even without cooking. According to Richard Beliveau and Denis Gingras, authors of Cooking with Foods that Fight Cancer (2007, DK Adult), they all have an important role to play in keeping us healthy.Citrus fruits have been shown in studies to reduce by half the risk of developing certain types of cancers of the digestive system such as the esophagus, mouth, and stomach. Citrus fruits contain anticancer molecules that interfere with cancer cell growth that are necessary for the development of tumours. They also reduce inflammation, which provides tumours with the stimulus for growth. Grapefruit, in particular, helps with the absorption of anticancer compounds of other foods.
Green teas contains one of the highest proportions of anti-cancer molecules. Green tea has a high catechin content, which targets the processes associated with the development of cancer cells. Beliveau and Gingras suggest that the daily consumption of green tea is one of the best strategies to avoid the development of microtumours, especially those of the bladder and the prostate. Japanese green teas contain more catechins that Chinese teas do. Use loose tea and put it straight into the pot rather than into an infuser. Allow the tea to steep for 8 to 10 minutes to get the maximum amount of catechins.
Red wine contains a molecule, resveratrol, which prevents the appearance of new cancer cells and the growth to maturity of existing cancer cells. They key to drinking red wine is moderation. Studies show that high doses of alcohol increase the risk of developing cancers of the mouth, liver and breast cancer.
There is still much testing being done on the benefits of chocolate, but it appears that it slows down the growth of cancers induced by carcinogenic substances. To achieve the health benefits of chocolate, it must have at least 70 percent cocoa mass. Surprisingly, milk will prevent the absorption of the desired polyphenols, so forget about that hot chocolate as a health benefit.
Difficulty level: Easy
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