Overview
It is well known that your food might influence your risk of acquiring cancer. Similarly, eating healthy foods is essential if you are undergoing cancer treatment or recovering from it. Certain foods, especially fruits, contain health-promoting substances that may inhibit tumor growth and lessen certain treatment side effects, making the road to recovery easier.
Fruits for Cancer patients
Food is extremely important when being treated for or recovering from cancer. Cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation can have a variety of adverse effects that can be exacerbated or alleviated by what you eat and drink.
Chemotherapy and radiation frequently cause the following negative effects:
• mouth sores
• diarrhea
• vomiting
• dry mouth
• swallowing
Including fruits in your diet can provide your body with the vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants it needs while undergoing cancer treatment. It’s critical, though, to choose fruits based on your symptoms. Puréed fruits or fruit smoothies are helpful options if you have trouble swallowing, while fruits rich in fiber can help alleviate constipation.
Additionally, if your symptoms are severe, you may wish to avoid specific fruits. Citrus fruits, for example, might exacerbate mouth sores and worsen the dry mouth sensation. Finally, because of mouth sores, trouble swallowing, dry mouth, or nausea, some cancer patients find it difficult to consume entire fruits like apples, apricots, and pears.
To sum it up, certain adverse effects of cancer treatment might be exacerbated or alleviated depending on the food consumed. Your fruit selection should be based on your symptoms.
The following are the 12 recommended food to eat during and after cancer treatments
1. Peaches and Grapefruits
Citrus fruits are known for their sweet taste, vibrant color, and high nutrient content. Oranges are a popular choice. Just one medium orange can fulfill and surpass your daily needs for vitamin C, all while giving other key nutrients like thiamine, folate, and potassium.
Vitamin C has a critical function in immunity and can help enhance your immune system during and after cancer therapy. Vitamin C has been shown to inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells, as well as to be a potential cancer therapy. Vitamin C from oranges can help improve the absorption of iron from meals. Anemia, a major adverse effect of chemotherapy, can be prevented by taking this supplement.
Conclusions
Vitamin C, which is abundant in oranges, can boost your immune system, slow the growth of cancer cells, and improve your body’s ability to absorb iron.
2. Blueberries
A single serving of blueberries has a whopping amount of fiber, vitamin C, and the antioxidant manganese. Their anti-cancer properties, which include high levels of antioxidants, have been extensively examined.
It’s possible that blueberries can aid with chemo brain, a term used to describe memory and concentration issues that some people have throughout cancer treatment and recovery. Drinking blueberry juice every day for 12 weeks boosted memory and learning in older persons, according to small research.
According to a recent meta-analysis of 11 trials, both children’s and adults’ brain function was boosted by blueberries in multiple different ways. Even if cancer patients were not included in this research, the results may still be relevant.
Bottom line
As chemo brain, a term used to describe the effects of cancer therapy on one’s memory and concentration progresses, blueberries may be beneficial.
3. Bananas
Cancer patients can benefit from eating bananas as part of their recovery diet. Vitamin B6, manganese, and vitamin C are just a few of the minerals found in these foods, which are also easy to swallow for difficulties swallowing difficulty. Bananas also contain pectin, a type of fiber that may be especially helpful to cancer patients who are suffering from diarrhea as a side effect of their treatment.
Bananas, which are high in potassium, might help replace electrolytes lost through diarrhea and vomiting when consumed in moderation. It has also been found that pectin can protect against the growth and development of colon cancer cells in test tube tests. There is still a lot of work to be done to see if the pectin in bananas will delay cancer cell growth in people.
Conclusion
Pectin, which is found in bananas, has been demonstrated to lessen diarrhea and protect against colon cancer in test-tube experiments.
4. Grapefruit
Grapefruit is an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Vitamin C, provitamin A, and potassium are all present in abundance, but it also contains helpful chemicals like lycopene. As a carotenoid, lycopene is a powerful anticancer agent. There is some evidence that it may lessen the side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy for cancer.
A study of 24 adults discovered that ingesting 17 ounces (500 ml) of citrus fruit juice, such as grapefruit, boosted blood flow to the brain, which may help alleviate chemo brain’s side effects. Consult your physician before consuming grapefruit, since it may interact with certain drugs
Summary
Grapefruit is a good source of lycopene, an antioxidant that has an anti-cancer quality minimize minimizes the negative effects of cancer treatment. As a result, chemo brain may be alleviated by an increase in blood flow.
5. Apples
Apples are not only one of the most popular fruits, but they are also one of the healthiest. Each serving is high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C, which can all help in cancer recovery. Apple fiber promotes regularity and keeps things flowing through your digestive tract.
Potassium influences fluid balance and can aid in the prevention of fluid retention, which is a typical side effect of various forms of chemotherapy. Finally, vitamin C functions as an antioxidant, promoting immune function and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation.
To sum it up, Apples include a lot of fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. As a result, they can aid in the promotion of regularity, the reduction of fluid retention, and the support of immune health.
6. Lemons
Lemons are known for their sour taste and signature citrus aroma, and each serving contains a plethora of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.
They’re high in vitamin C, but they’re also high in potassium, iron, and vitamin B. Lemon extract has been shown in tests to help prevent the formation of numerous types of cancer cells. Some animal studies also demonstrate that specific molecules in lemons, such as limonene, might improve your mood and battle stress, which can help you overcome sadness and anxiety.
While further research is needed in people to confirm these findings, including lemons in your favorite drinks and desserts as part of a balanced diet may be beneficial.
Conclusion
In test-tube investigations, lemons were found to suppress the growth of cancer cells. They also include chemicals that may improve your mood and reduce stress.
7. Pomegranates
There are numerous health benefits to pomegranates, making them an excellent addition to any diet. Vitamin C and fiber are abundant, as are folate, potassium, and vitamin K, as do other fruits. Additionally, some study suggests that consuming pomegranates may boost your memory, which may be beneficial for those suffering from memory loss as a result of chemotherapy.
When 28 patients took pomegranate juice every day for four weeks, their brain activity and memory improved, according to research and the results of the study.
A third major adverse effect of cancer treatment, chemotherapy, is joint pain, which pomegranates may help alleviate in animal trials. However, Pomegranates have been shown to improve memory and ease joint pain, which are common side effects of cancer treatment.
8. Mulberries
Fruits such as mulberries and breadfruit are members of the same family as the fig and the mulberry tree. They’ve long been used in traditional medicine to treat cancer, and new studies are beginning to corroborate their cancer-fighting ability.
Anemia caused by chemotherapy may be prevented by eating mulberries, which are high in vitamin C and iron. Linguine-rich foods have been demonstrated to boost the immune system and kill cancer cells in test-tube experiments.
More research is needed to determine whether or not consuming mulberries in moderation is useful during and after cancer treatment. In conclusion, Anemia can be reduced by eating mulberries, which are high in vitamin C and iron, which can help prevent it. In addition, lignins found in these plants may boost immunity and fight cancer.
9. Pears
This fruit is versatile, flavorful, and easy to eat as part of a nutritious diet. Additionally, they’re loaded with nutrients including fiber, copper, vitamin C, and vitamin K in every meal.
Copper, in particular, plays a critical role in immune system function and lowers infection risk, making it an advantageous supplement during chemotherapy. Pears, like other fruits, may contain potent anti-cancer substances.
According to a survey of more than 478,000 participants, those who ate more apples and pears had a lower risk of lung cancer. Also, in test-tube experiments, the plant pigment anthocyanins present in pears have been associated with a reduced rate of cancer growth and tumor formation.
Summary
In test-tube tests, anthocyanins, which are found in pears, have been proven to inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
10. Strawberries
Many people enjoy strawberries because of their flavor, which is both fresh and sweet.
In addition to pelargonidin and other antioxidant components, they are high in vitamin C, folate, manganese, and potassium. It is possible that strawberries, in addition to their outstanding nutritious profile, may have additional advantages for cancer patients. Because ripe strawberries are mushy, they can be eaten by persons who have difficulty swallowing. A study on animals found that giving hamsters with mouth cancer freeze-dried strawberries reduced the growth of tumors.
Breast cancer cells were killed and tumor growth slowed by strawberry extract in another investigation on mice. Strawberry consumption as part of a healthy diet may have anticancer properties, but high-quality research is needed to confirm this.
Bottom line
Antioxidant-rich strawberries may help slow the growth of cancer cells. Fruits that are fully ripe and tender are ideal for folks who have difficulty swallowing.
11. Cherries
Stone fruits including peaches, plums, and apricots all fall under the genus Prunus. There are numerous health benefits of eating cherries, including a substantial amount of potassium, vitamin C, and copper.
Asa bonus, they’re a fantastic source of antioxidants including beta carotene and the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin. Cherry antioxidants may help prevent cancer cell growth, according to numerous research.
As an example, theory extract was found to kill and halt the spread of breast cancer cells in a test tube experiment. Another animal study showed the same results, stating that tart cherry chemicals inhibited colon cancer cell proliferation in mice.
These investigations, on the other hand, looked at the effects of cherry extracts that were extremely concentrated. To determine if these findings apply to humans when cherries are consumed in regular amounts, additional research is required. In conclusion, test-tube and animal studies demonstrate that cherries contain antioxidants, which have been shown to reduce cancer cell proliferation.
12. Blackberries
In addition to their sweet, yet slightly bitter taste, blackberries are known for their beautiful purple color. Vitamin C, manganese, and vitamin K are all found in abundance in this beloved fruit.
Ellagic acid, gallic acid, and chlorogenic acid are only a few of the antioxidants found in blackberries. Eating berries may help protect against DNA damage, neutralize free radicals, and prevent the growth of cancer cells, according to some studies.
Studies in the lab and on animals suggest that blackberries may help prevent some of the negative effects of chemotherapy by preserving brain health and improving memory. Blackberries may provide similar health benefits in animals, but further research is needed to confirm this.
To sum it up, the Antioxidants found in blackberries may help prevent cancer. Researchers have shown that they may also help to prevent some of the negative effects of cancer treatment by promoting brain health in test tubes and animals.
Outline
Certain fruits can have a big impact on your health, particularly during and after cancer treatment. Many fruits include antioxidants that can help combat cancer cell development and may even provide additional health advantages that might help alleviate some of the adverse effects of treatment.
Eating these healthy fruits in conjunction with a well-balanced diet will help you feel your best and get you started on the path to recovery.
