The Breast Cancer Awareness campaign, endorsed by the important institutions like the American Cancer Society and the Center for Disease Control, is aimed at teaching women about ways to promote breast health (such as self-exams, yearly physicals and mammograms) and has used the color pink to publicize their efforts. This appears to have been tremendous successful, since pink ribbons and other pink products like bracelets, clothing and hats now abound and have great recognition among the American public.
It is only fitting, then, that there are so many pink foods out there which naturally help to prevent the onset of breast cancer and to promote overall breast health. Read on to find out more about these foods and what they can do to support women’s health.
Pomegranates
These delectable fruits, with their gem-like, edible pink seeds, contain powerful phytochemicals. These compounds have been shown in laboratory studies to prevent breast cancer by blocking aromatase, an enzyme which converts androgen to estrogen. (1)
Red Cabbage
Red cabbage, like many members of the cruciferous family to which it belongs, contains a compound called indole-3-carbinol, or I3C. I3C has been the subject of much ongoing research due to its apparent ability to help significant reduce a woman’s chance of developing breast cancer. (2)
Beets
The extract of these delicious, pink-purple root vegetables has been shown to suppress the growth and proliferation of breast and other cancerous tumors in vitro and it is one of the natural therapies being considered for use along with conventional drugs to help reduce the side effects of cancer treatments. (3)
Radishes
The high antioxidant content of these pink-and-white root vegetables has been linked to a decrease in the spread of breast cancer cells and one study out of Japan even found that it could reduce the onset of tumor growth in the mammary glands. (4)
Carrots
Red, pink and purple heirloom carrots, like their more well-known orange counterparts, are rich in beta-carotene and have even more healthful compounds that have been linked to lower incidence of breast cancer development. (5)
Apples
Pink and red apple varieties receive their lovely colors from anthocyanins, which have been shown to actively fight breast and other forms of cancer, as well as quercetin, which in a recent in vitro study was shown to inhibit the proliferation of breast cancer cells. (6)
Red Grapes
Choose the red grapes over green ones for extra cancer-fighting properties. Red grapes are rich in antioxidants like resveratrol that have been shown to have a positive effect on breast health and reduce cancer risk. (7)
So when it comes to breast cancer awareness, be sure to “think pink” when shopping in the produce aisle, as all of these pink fruits and vegetables have been shown to positively impact breast health and reduce the chance of cancer development.
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