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...

Processed meats are everywhere – on breakfast plates, in lunchboxes, at backyard cookouts, and tucked into charcuterie boards.   Think bacon and eggs, hot dogs, deli turkey sandwiches, pepperoni pizza, sausage and pancakes – they’re convenient, tasty, and deeply woven into our food culture.   But there’s a growing body of research showing that processed meats can come with a serious health risk, an increased risk of cancer, especially colon cancer. If you’re trying to eat healthier or you want to reduce your cancer risk, understanding why processed meats are linked to cancer—and how to make smarter choices—can lower your risk.   🥓 What Counts as Processed Meat? According to MD Anderson Cancer Center , meat is considered processed if it has been smoked, cured, salted, seasoned, or preserved with chemical additives . That includes: Bacon Sausage and bratwurst Hot dogs Deli meats and lunch meats Ham Pepperoni and salami Corned beef Jerky Even brea...

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...

Many people are coffee lovers including me.   But I also enjoy a cup or two of tea every day.   Add some tea to your day and you add many health benefits.   Tea is rich in antioxidants, some vitamins, and minerals, and has been linked to improved heart health, better digestion, and enhanced mental clarity.   Some studies have shown tea may decrease one’s risk of type 2 diabetes and cancer.   Whether you prefer green, black, oolong, white or herbal teas, each type of tea offers its unique array of health-promoting properties.   In this blog post I explore the many health benefits of enjoying some tea.    Black Tea What is it made from?   Made from leaves of a plant.   Oxidation , “leaves exposed to moist oxygen-rich air”, is what turns the leaves from green to a black color.   Examples:   English Breakfast, Earl Grey, Darjeeling Black Tea, Ceylon Black Tea   Health Benefits:   Heart: Drink black tea often and ...

Who knew that simply snacking on baby carrots can have such a health benefit?   Baby carrots are not only a convenient snack, but they also pack a nutritional punch. These little orange wonders are high in beta-carotene, which the body converts to vitamin A, essential for good vision, immune function, and skin health. They are also low in calories and high in fiber, making them a great choice for anyone looking to maintain a healthy weight and digestive system. How would simply snacking on baby carrots lead to improved health? Researchers at Samford University found that adding baby carrots to your day at least 3 times a week resulted in more carotenoids in your skin.   Why is this a good thing?   According to nutritionist , Mary Harper Simmons, “…people who consume and have high levels of carotenoids have higher levels of antioxidant activity going on in the body, which means that there are lower levels of inflammation and lower risk of chronic illnesses such as hea...