Eating For Health

The Short answer: Yes—while no single food can prevent cancer, research shows that a colorful, plant‑rich diet packed with antioxidants, fiber, and phytochemicals can lower your overall cancer risk when eaten consistently over time. 🌱✨ 🌈 1. Add More Color to Your Plate Colorful fruits and vegetables are rich in phytonutrients that help protect cells from damage. Blueberries, strawberries, grapes, kiwi, apples, and cruciferous veggies (like broccoli and kale) contain compounds such as anthocyanins , polyphenols , and sulforaphane , which may reduce inflammation and slow cancer cell growth. Aim for at least 5 servings a day —more is even better! 🍳 2. Build a Cancer‑Smart Breakfast Foods naturally rich in folate —such as whole‑grain cereals, eggs, strawberries, melons, and real orange juice—support healthy cell function. Low folate levels have been linked to increased cancer risk. Choose real juice over sugary “fruit drinks,” which lack nutrients. (See: What is the di...

Colon cancer was always a concern for people over the age of 50.   But now, it is becoming increasingly more common for people under the age of 50 to be diagnosed with colon cancer.   While colon cancer has been declining for older adults, since 1990 colorectal cancer has been increasing in younger adults (under 50) with rates increasing 2% a year.   What is the incidence of colon cancer in younger adults? Among those younger than 55 years of age, the proportion of cases increased from 11% in 1995 to 20% in 2019.  Although the overall rate dropped by 1% each year from 2012 to 2021, the drop was mostly in older adults, those 65 and older.    Why is the incidence of colon cancer increasing in younger adults? Research is investigating the reasons but factors being explored are diet, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle and even changes in the gut microbiome, the bacteria in your gut.  (See:  Healthier gut for a healthier you )  Other factors i...