A holistic financial plan including cancer coverage can protect you and your family against unforeseen circumstances that may happen in life. But did you know that you can reduce your cancer risk starting right from your kitchen?
Take stock of your pantry and refrigerator - chances are you will spot more than a few raw ingredients you never knew were considered superfoods!
Superfoods are usually unprocessed foods that are packed to the brim with nutrients. While there is no one item that can single handedly keep cancers at bay, a regular combination of superfoods can work together to lower your risks of getting The Big C.
To put together your arsenal of cancer reducing ingredients, look no further than your own kitchen first. “Superfoods do not necessarily mean anything particularly premium. In fact, they tend to be ingredients we already have,” says Meenushree Chandrasekaran, Community Nutritionist.
Goji berries
A staple in many Asian households and commonly used in soups in Chinese cuisine, goji berries are enjoying their time in the limelight as one of the “newer” superfoods even though they have been in use for centuries.
Goji, a Himalayan berry, are also known as wolfberries. These tiny red fruits pack a punch. They possess a high level of antioxidants, including zeaxanthin, carotenoids and vitamin C, all of which contribute to the fight against cancer cells.
Their natural sweetness make it great in soups and can also be enjoyed raw as an easy and nutritious snack.
Garlic
The humble garlic is a nutrient powerhouse and is a staple in most, if not all kitchens.
Allicin, the active ingredient in garlic, helps lower the risk of developing several cancers. However, allicin needs to be “activated” by crushing or cutting up garlic and needs to be consumed very quickly after.
Garlic is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, which means it’s beneficial for reducing heart disease, diabetes and other conditions.
Bananas
Bananas are one of the best fruits everyone, from children to athletes, could enjoy. Good as a snack, blended or frozen, bananas also work very hard to give us health benefits. Bananas do not contain vitamin A but have 3 different types of carotenoids that our body converts to use as vitamin A. Foods with high levels of carotenoids have been shown to protect against chronic diseases and certain cancers.
Red Onions
Onions, both red and white, have been considered a superfood for a long time but red onions are nutritionally superior. A major fact that most people may not know about onions is that they contain several different compounds and antioxidants that help lower cancer risks in different ways. How’s that for multi-tasking?
Onions contain sulfur compounds called allyl sulfides that may have anti-cancer properties. Red onions in particular contain anthocyanin and quercetin, two compounds that work together to potentially destroy cancer cells.
It’s great if you can stomach raw onions but those who can’t will be relieved to know that some heat can actually increase the variety of health-beneficial sulfur compounds. Do note that cooking onions for more than 30 minutes will destroy most beneficial properties.
Learn from nutritionists Meenushree Chandrasekaran and Fiona Chia on the types of superfoods that you may help lower your cancer risk.
Download the top 10 superfoods for your next grocery run here!
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1Source: National Registry of Diseases Office, Singapore Cancer Registry, Singapore Cancer Registry 50th Anniversary Monograph (1968 – 2017). https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/publications/cancer; https://www.nrdo.gov.sg/docs/librariesprovider3/default-document-library/thespore-cancerregistry_commerativebook_-1.pdf?sfvrsn=231fce6e_0
Disclaimer:
This article is for your information only and does not consider your specific investment objectives, financial situation or needs. We recommend that you seek advice from a Prudential Financial Consultant before making a commitment to purchase a policy.