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Several studies show that certain types of vegetables, specifically those known as cruciferous vegetables, have specific properties that could make them useful in preventing cancer. This research gives us all the more reason to pile those veggies on our plates.
Some of the crunchiest, tastiest vegetables belong to the Cruciferae family. Typically cool weather vegetables, they are most notably characterized by four petal flowers somewhat resembling a cross.
These flower buds or the leaves are the parts of these plants that are most often consumed. However, the seeds or roots of some of these vegetables are also edible. Incorporating some of these cruciferous vegetables into your diet may help lower your risk for cancer:
Cruciferous vegetables are packed with nutrients that are believed to lower a person’s risk for several types of cancers, including prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. This includes the carotenoids zeaxanthin, lutein, and beta-carotene as well as folate and vitamins C, E, and K. They are also rich in minerals and an excellent source of fiber which is well known for preventing colorectal cancer.
This group of vegetables is also a good dietary source of glucosinolates which also has cancer-fighting properties. When intact, the glucosinolates are not effective, but when they are broken down through chewing, processing, and pests, they then make contact with the myrosinase enzyme and initiate a process that releases specific chemicals that can prevent cancer.
There are three primary ways that cruciferous vegetables can prevent cancer. Researchers have found substantial evidence that shows when they are part of a healthy, clean, low-fat diet, a person’s risk of cancer can be decreased.
Cruciferous vegetables are at their most nutritious and have the greatest cancer-fighting properties when they are raw. When the vegetables are chopped and chewed they release the most cancer-fighting chemicals. Likewise, when they are cooked, they lose a great deal of those properties. Steaming or cooking the vegetables very lightly for less than 5 minutes will allow them to retain some of those cancer-fighting properties.
So, make sure that you incorporate cruciferous vegetables into your diet at least three times a week. If you need further guidance, ask our doctor of chiropractic Dr. Jimenez. We’re here to help!
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