One of the best defenses against breast cancer is having a balanced and healthy diet. Various studies have demonstrated that what you eat and drink can help protect against this disease. There are various foods that should be included in your daily diet because they reduce the risk of breast cancer and these include the following.
Soy
Various types of breast cancer develop because of high levels of estrogen. Soy is rich in isoflavones that protect against tumors related to hormones. Products like edamame, which are soybeans, tofu, and soymilk, contain components that move estradiol, the most potent hormone in your body and the most abundant form of estrogen.
Fruits and Vegetables
An incentive to consume a daily diet of fruits and vegetables is the power that they possess. Fruits and vegetables are able to prevent the majority of different types of cancer. Scientists suggest that the polyphenol and carotene found in various fruits and vegetables help protect our body. It is recommended that women consume at least nine portions of fruits and vegetables a day. Vegetables that are most recommended are broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage because they help metabolize estrogen and are full of antioxidants that help reduce your chances of cancer
Olive Oil
Studies have shown that consuming large amounts of extra virgin olive oil can reduce your risk of breast cancer by 25%.
Green Tea
Green tea is full of antioxidants and polyphenol due to the way that it is processed, compared to black tea that comes from the same plant. The majority of studies of the effects of green tea have been in laboratories, and epidemiologists have found that drinking five cups of green tea a day can reduce your chances of breast cancer by 22%.
Fish
Fish oil helps to protect against breast cancer in two ways. First, it is full of Omega 3 fatty acids and helps metabolize estrogen in a safe way. Second, fish oil contains vitamin D, which has been shown to reduce the risk of various cancers (other ways to consume vitamin D can be through milk, soy milk, egg yolks, and liver). Be sure to consume two or three portions of fish a week, preferably salmon, sardines and cod because they are low in mercury and PCB (polyphenol bicholorinate), unlike other species of fish. If you don�t particularly like fish you can take fish oil supplements that are 2 to 3 grams per day.
Flaxseed
Flax contains phytonutrients that fixes the effects of estrogen in the layers of the breast tissue. Additionally, the component in the seed tends to repress the effects of cancer. A study confirmed the delayed effects of growth in cancer and the drop in estrogen levels. It is recommended that you add flaxseed to your daily diet rather than flaxseed oil because it doesn�t possess the benefits of the seed. A great way to integrate flaxseeds into your diet is as easy as sprinkling two spoonfuls of it into your shakes, cereals, salads, and cooked vegetables.
Food that should be limited or avoided:
Sugar: Food with refined sugar can increase your levels of insulin, which can stimulate the increase in cancer cells in the breasts.
Red Meat: Studies show that women who consume animal fat, which is rich in saturated fat, are more likely to develop breast cancer. Red meat also has residue of estrogen. If you are going to consume meat or dairy products, choose organic products that have no added hormones.
Grilled Meat: Women who consume grilled meat, either on the grill or smoked, have a 47% risk of getting breast cancer. The high temperature used in grilling the meat, as well as fish and chicken, can produce carcinogens.
Partially Hydrogenated Oils : The saturated fat found in this type of oil that generally extends the shelf life and the nutrients of the products has been related to a high risk of breast cancer.
Alcohol: Alcohol should not be consumed every day. It has shown that women in menopause who consume one to two glasses of alcohol a day tend to have an increased risk of breast cancer by as much as 32%.