You probably already know what cancer is. It is a disease with an abnormal growth of the unusual type of cells that harm the body in various ways. Today, there are more than 100 types of cancer appearing on our breasts, skin, ovaries, lungs, pancreas, colons, prostate, and lymphoma. One might think that knowing symptoms of one of them means knowing all of them but it is not the case since each and single cancer has a different set of symptoms.

The American Cancer Society has recently announced that cancer is the second most common cause of death in the USA! According to the United States Cancer Statistics Incidence and Mortality Web-based Report, more than 575,000 people die of cancer and over 1.5 million new cases are diagnosed each year in the USA.

Also, the World Health Organization (WHO) says that new cancer cases are expected to rise by about 70 percent over the next 15 to 20 years.

Thus, it is a real mission to ensure that you don’t get one of those types. Having read many articles about the possible cancer causes, we have gathered here some types of food which are believed to prevent cancer. So, if you eat all of these things, you will diminish your chances of getting any type of cancer.

These are the top 10 cancer-fighting foods.

Green tea

According to some studies on green tea and cancer prevention, green tea has protective effects on gastrointestinal, breast, lung and prostate cancers. Everyone should drink 3 or 4 cups of green tea a day to get its anti-cancer benefits. There are also green tea extracts to be bought. Green tea also helps in preventing free radicals from damaging cells.

Walnuts

A 2012 study by the American Institute for Cancer Research, showed that walnuts help prevent breast cancer in animals. This food contains a certain amount of polyphenols and phytochemicals that have antioxidant properties. Walnuts are also full of anti-cancer compounds, such as ellagitannins, gamma-tocopherol, and alpha-linolenic acid. With humans, they can also reduce the risk of prostate and  skin cancer. If you eat 7 shelled walnuts daily, you will get the effect required.

Walnuts ca be added to salads, soups, or smoothies.

Garlic

A study from 2000 published in the American Society for Clinical Nutrition journal said that high intake of raw or cooked garlic has a protective effect against stomach and colorectal cancers. In 2013, a study made by the American Association for Cancer Research pointed out that there is a protective association between raw garlic intake and lung cancer.

Arginine, oligosaccharides, flavonoids and selenium are present in garlic, all of which are beneficial in reducing the risk of various types of cancer.

For anti-cancer benefits, regular garlic intake is required, but raw garlic is more effective than cooked garlic or its supplements.

Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a good source of a powerful antioxidant called lycopene which helps in fighting against cancer. It boosts the immune system and protects cells from damage.

One study from 2013 found that men who ate more tomatoes and tomato-based products were less likely to develop prostate cancer. Also,  tomatoes are effective at reducing the risk of endometrial, breast, lung and stomach cancers.

Only 1 cup of sliced tomatoes a day is optimal. However, to enjoy the maximum anti-cancer benefits, you should take tomato sauce, paste, and juice every day.

Additionally, tomatoes are a good source of vitamins A, C, and E, which prevent free-radical damage in the body.

Blueberries

Blueberries are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants which fight against cancers cells.  They are good in reducing the risk of different types of cancer, including mouth, ovarian, colon, liver, prostate, lung, skin and breast.

The intake of  just ½ to 1 cup of fresh or frozen blueberries daily is a good amount for our health.

Blueberries also have vitamins C and K, manganese and dietary fiber, which are also helpful in fighting against cancer cells.

Grapes

Grapes and grape seed extracts are full of the antioxidant called resveratrol which fights against many cancer types. It blocks the protein that causes cancer growth and it also prevents chronic oxidative stress and chronic inflammation, two main causes of cancer.

A study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry said that the polyphenols from muscadine grapes exhibit anti-cancer properties. In 2009, another study published in the Journal of Nutrition gave an additional info that both grapes and grape-based products are excellent sources of various anti-cancer agents.

Everyone should eat at least a cup of grapes daily.