Carrots for Cancer Prevention

Foods for Cancer Prevention: Beat Cancer with Carrots:

Various experimental studies conducted on mammals suggest that carrots have an inhibitory effect on cancer cells. Many of the health benefits of carrots were assumed to be due to its concentration of beta carotene but research carried out at the University of Southern Denmark showed that it is actually the plant antioxidant, Falcarinol! The latter is a natural pesticide produced by the plant, which guards the carrot roots from disease and fungus.

Eating Carrots can Help Prevent Cancer

According to a recent study, the poly­acetylene, Falcarinol can significantly slow down the growth of cancer cells, making cancer less likely to invade the body. Preliminary research in animal models proposes that falcarinol may have a protective effect against certain types of cancers like leukemia, colon cancer and prostate cancer. The studies also confirmed that it has a more powerful effect than beta carotene.

Laboratory rats that were fed a diet of raw carrots / isolated falcarinol were a third less likely to develop chemically-induced (azoxymethane) tumors than those in the control group. 

In the US, researchers at Harvard University discovered that women who consumed at least 5 carrots / week were nearly two-thirds less likely to have a stroke than those who ate them only once a month. There is another study that found that the risk of breast cancer was lower in women who consumed the highest levels of beta-carotene compared to women who ate the lowest levels.

Ann Cameron, an author of 15 children’s books, cured her Stage 4 cancer by consuming carrot juice only. She states, “I believe from personal experience that carrots can cure cancer – and rapidly, without chemotherapy, radiation, or other dietary changes.” (source: naturalsociety.com)

Falcarinol is also found in celery, parsley, ginseng and other vegetables, but only when raw. Cooking destroys the cancer preventing properties of falcarinol. Also, falcarinol is soluble and lost (70% reduction reported) when carrots are boiled for 12 minutes or so. Long-term frozen storage and blanching of carrot pieces can lead to a 30% reduction of the compound, falcarinol. Consuming fresh and raw carrots is always the best option.

Oats: The Best Healthy Snacks!

Oats: The Best Healthy Snacks!

Oats are edible seeds of the Avena sativa plant. These are one of the healthiest snacks consumed as oatmeal or rolled oats. Oatmeal is the perfect meal to start your day because it boosts your energy and has plenty of fiber to keep you full and satisfied. Oats are high in phytonutrients, beta-glucans, selenium, proteins, manganese, iron, thiamin and magnesium. By itself, oatmeal is low in fat and fairly low in calories. 

Oatmeal is also full of water-soluble fibers, which play a crucial role in making you feel full over a longer period of time. Studies have also shown that oatmeal reduces cholesterol, maintains blood sugar levels and fights against heart disease, diabetes, colon cancer and obesity. 

All types of oatmeal are healthful and low-fat, but steel-cut oats are less processed than rolled oats and are believed to retain more nutrients. Packets of instant oatmeal often contain more sugar than oats you cook yourself. Regardless of the type of oatmeal you choose to eat, be careful of what you add to your bowl. 

Choose skim milk to keep the calories low. Instead of sweetening your oatmeal with sugar, try berries or dried fruit, which also offer additional fiber and nutrients. For all the good reasons, this snack would certainly help keep a check on your weight too!

Stay Happy, Stay Healthy!