Contents:
- Medical Video: Your Diet and Breast Cancer
- Is it true that soybeans can be a cancer-preventing food?
- Are there any side effects from eating soybeans?
- Then, is broccoli really true as a cancer-preventing food?
- Pay attention to a few of these before eating broccoli
Medical Video: Your Diet and Breast Cancer
There are many claims that eating soy or broccoli can prevent cancer. Is it true that soy foods and broccoli can be cancer-preventing foods?
Is it true that soybeans can be a cancer-preventing food?
Soybeans are a food source known to have protective substances from breast, prostate, colon, and lung cancers. Anti-cancer effects in soybeans are formed due to phytochemical substances called isoflavones. Soy is also a good source of protein and low fat.
In addition, the source of protein in soybeans is also useful for weight loss, cholesterol, blood pressure, and relieve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Soybeans included protein which has low saturated fat so that it can help reduce the risk of heart disease and cholesterol.
Researchers also believe that isoflavones in soybeans such as genistein, daidzein and glycitein can reduce the risk of cancer. A number of studies conducted in animals and humans have shown that isoflavones in soybeans can reduce some of the risks of cancer including breast, prostate, and colon cancer. However, the results of this study have not been proven in humans so that there are no definite conclusions about the benefits of isoflavones for humans. Soybeans also contain phytoestrogens which are still being studied in clinical trials as an added benefit in the treatment of breast cancer or prostate cancer.
People who eat foods made from soybeans have a tendency to eat healthy foods. Soybeans can also weaken estrogen which will help in the prevention of prostate cancer even though further studies are still needed.
Are there any side effects from eating soybeans?
In general, soybeans are considered safe for those who do not have allergies to soybeans. Side effects caused by soybeans are rare, although the risk of eating soy can cause digestive problems such as stomach ache and diarrhea.
Research has found that soy food intake can reduce the risk of breast cancer recurrence. This research was also carried out in patients with breast cancer with estrogen positive receptors. Cancer sufferers claim to get a more comfortable feeling after eating 1-3 servings of soy foods.
Most people can safely consume soy food supplements which are except for hormone-sensitive cancer sufferers. In addition, people who are allergic to soy protein should avoid consuming soy or supplements containing soy. Usually soybeans are listed as healthy foods that are included in plant foods.
Then, is broccoli really true as a cancer-preventing food?
Broccoli is a cancer-preventing food because it contains substances that can reduce the risk of colorectal cancer and other cancers. Although these compounds are not solely responsible for providing a protective effect, broccoli is considered a good source of nutrition because it contains vitamin C, carotenoids, fiber, calcium and folate.
Apart from containing phytochemicals that have anti-cancer properties, broccoli also contains several compounds called isothiocyanates, sulforaphane and indole-3-carbinol (I3C) which have been mentioned as anti-cancer substances in recent years.
Research that has done trials in animals has shown that compounds in broccoli have anti-cancer properties. Compounds in broccoli can have effects that help cancer even though there is no evidence to show that these compounds can also be useful to humans. Therefore, further research on broccoli is needed to find out anti-cancer substances that can benefit humans.
Scientists tell us that broccoli can be used as a good food to prevent cancer. However, the results of this study still do not know whether broccoli can prevent cancer due to its phytochemical content, or other ingredients such as vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and other compounds.
Pay attention to a few of these before eating broccoli
Broccoli which is eaten in large quantities can cause the body to produce gas. Taking anti-gas drugs can help reduce gas production in the body. If you consume warfarin (Coumadin) or other blood thinners, don't eat green vegetables and fruits because these foods contain high vitamin K, thereby reducing the effectiveness of blood thinning drugs.
Most doctors recommend blood thinners and consume foods that contain vitamin K for patients who have blood clots so that blood can be controlled properly.
While waiting for research to continue, the best advice for reducing cancer risk is to consume a variety of vegetables including broccoli and other vegetables so that balanced food intake is fulfilled.
