Vegetables are part of a healthy diet; they contain many vitamins and minerals. Many are rich in fiber as well. However, research has given us even more reasons to pile those veggies on our plates. Several studies show that certain types of vegetables, specifically those known as cruciferous vegetables, have certain properties that could make them effective in preventing cancer. And the abundance in advantages it provides is why many people have turned towards choosing meal prep deliveries for their daily meals, as the food delivered by them is carefully prepared, keeping in mind the dietary restrictions of people and the type of food which would be best suitable for their requirements. 

What are Cruciferous Vegetables?

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:

• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Wasabi
• Collard greens
• Bok choi
• Brussels sprout
• Arugula
• Cauliflower
• Mustard (leaves and seeds)
• Turnips
• Horseradish
• Rutabaga
• Kale
• Radish
• Watercress

What is the Link Between Cruciferous Vegetables and 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.

How Cruciferous Vegetables 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.

• Glucosinolates – These are chemicals that contain sulfur and are present in all cruciferous vegetables, giving them their trademark bitter flavor and pungent aroma. When this substance is broken down by chewing, preparation, or digestion, it forms certain compounds (indole-3-carbinol and sulforaphane) that scientists have identified as having “anticancer properties.” They do this by impeding the development or growth of cancer. Studies have looked at this effect on mice and rats and found that it is particularly effective in certain organs. Researchers are also looking at other ways the substances can prevent cancer. When working in the body, they:
  • Have anti-inflammatory properties
  • Aid in preventing DNA damage to cells
  • Inhibit the formation of blood vessels in tumors
  • Are antibacterial and antiviral
  • Inhibit the migration of tumor cells, thus halting metastasis
  • Cause cancerous cells to die
  • Aid in causing carcinogens to become inactive
• Bioactive components – Some studies have shown that the bioactive components of these veggies can actually affect the biomarkers of processes related to cancer in the human body such as decreasing abnormal cell growth.
• Genetic encoding of gluthathione S-transferase – Gluthathione S-transferase is an enzyme that helps the body metabolize and eliminate isothiocyanates. This is important because isothiocyanates prevent the activation of carcinogens, increase the speed at which the carcinogens are eliminated from the body, and counteract the dangerous effects of active carcinogens.

Best Ways to Consume Cruciferous Vegetables

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 doctors. We’re here to help!

Most people now acknowledge just how bad sugar is. The problem is, many are not willing to give it up. The evidence is clear though, over the last three decades chronic disease like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease have grown exponentially in occurrences that correlate strongly with Americans’ ever-increasing intake of sugar. But while this may not be new information, people are still unwilling to make the changes necessary – even with the threat of poor or worsening health (and even death) hanging over their heads.

One of the problems is that it is very difficult to get away from. Pick up almost any product on your grocery store shelves and read the ingredients. Sugar is there most of the time.

It is found in most processed foods including spaghetti sauce, salad dressings, dried fruit, fruit juices, even so-called “healthy” foods like frozen quinoa blends and “diet” frozen dinners. Sugar is everywhere and people are consuming it without even realizing that they are doing so.

Sugar is Addictive

Again, this is not new information, but many people don’t realize just how addictive sugar really is. One research article compared sugar addiction to drug addiction. The authors even went so far as to say sugar is as addictive as cocaine (or more so).

There is strong evidence to support this; sugar does affect a person at the neurobiological level. It activates the brain’s reward center, similar to what drugs do. Regular exposure provokes cravings similar to drug addiction and withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped.

The real problem here is that it is 1) legal, and 2) available for anyone to purchase- even children. In fact, there is a huge push to market sugar to children through heavily sugared cereals, drinks, and snack foods.

The children want it because they saw it on TV, the parents buy it, and the children end up cognitively impaired, obese, and chronically ill. It’s time to start connecting the dots and making significant changes in not only what we eat, but what we feed our children.

But Why is Sugar so Bad?

In its pure form, right out of the sugar cane, the juice has nutritional properties. However, all of that nutrition is destroyed when it is processed and refined as sugar (even “raw,” turbinado, and other forms – it’s still sugar). It becomes something that may be edible, but isn’t really food. It is just a substance with absolutely no nutritional value – but lots of potential for damage.

The moment sugar enters your bloodstream your body begins secreting insulin. Insulin is produced in the pancreas and its function is to regulate sugar in the blood, to keep it balanced. When you overwhelm your body with sugar it keeps producing more and more insulin. A diet that is high in sugar can result in insulin resistance which can lead to obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, and other dangerous conditions.

The more sugar you consume, the harder your body has to work to process it. It gets stored in the liver, leading to a fatty, enlarged liver, high glucose levels, and even affect the function of your organs including your kidneys. If you have conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, the risk of damage to your organs is increased even more.

High glucose levels have also been linked to impaired cognitive function, loss of memory, depression, and anxiety as well as an increased risk of dementia. It can cause difficulty in concentration and the inability to focus or stay on task.

The solution here is to avoid sugar or make low sugar choices. Read labels! Take the time to think about what you are putting into your body and how it will affect you. If you make a conscious effort to reduce your sugar intake, over time your body will stop craving it.