Table of contents:
Cervical cancer or cervical cancer ranks second after breast cancer from the total cancer cases. Departing from this, it takes a series of efforts to prevent cervical cancer. Food intake, for example, can play a role in preventing cervical cancer. So, what are the food options to choose from? Check out the following reviews.
Various foods to prevent cervical cancer
In addition to routine early detection of cervical cancer, such as pap smears or IVA examinations, you need to make prevention efforts by adopting a healthy lifestyle. One of them is practicing a healthy diet.
Yes, interestingly, food actually plays a role in preventing several types of diseases, one of which is cervical cancer. Of course you prefer to take precautions early on, don't you, instead of having to undergo cervical cancer treatment?
This is because a number of ingredients in certain foods can help the body fight viral attacks, one of which is the virus that causes cervical cancer.
As you may already know, the cause of cervical cancer is not known with certainty. However, in this case, infection with the HPV virus (human papillomavirus) is believed to be the cause of cervical cancer.
Well, some of the ingredients in food can actually help prevent infections that cause cervical cancer, including:
1. Carrots
Source: Joyful Healthy Eats
Carrots are one of the preventive foods for cervical cancer. Vegetables with a distinctive orange color are not only packed with a myriad of good nutrients in them.
Carrots contain vitamins and antioxidants that are believed to prevent damage to body cells, thereby reducing the risk of cervical cancer. In addition, these foods are also believed to slow the growth of cancer cells, including cervical cancer.
This statement is proven by the research contained in Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology . The content of vitamin A and carotenoids in carrots is believed to prevent the chance of cervical cancer.
When the levels of carotenoids in the body are low, a very early precancerous growth of abnormal tissue (lesions) will appear. That is why, carrots are touted as the food against cervical cancer.
Not only that, carrots are also equipped with falcarinol. Falcarinol is a type of natural pesticide that contains anti-inflammatory (anti-inflammatory) in it.
That is why, carrots are a potentially effective food ingredient to prevent infection with the HPV virus, which has the potential to cause cervical cancer.
Apart from carrots, you can also get the benefits of carotenoids from foods such as potatoes and pumpkin.
2. Broccoli
One of the foods that can also reduce your risk of cervical cancer is a type of vegetable cruciferous . The name of the vegetable group is probably still quite unfamiliar and you rarely hear it.
However, what about broccoli? Broccoli is one of the vegetables belonging to the group cruciferous. Apart from broccoli, other vegetables included in this group are mustard greens, cabbage, cauliflower, watercress, arugula, and pok choy.
Besides being rich in fiber, broccoli is also enriched with flavonoids in it. Quoting from a journal Cancers , flavonoids in food ingredients are antioxidants that play an important role as an anticancer agent, including cervical cancer prevention.
That is why this chemical compound is considered the main source of protection from cancer. Not only that, broccoli contains substances called glucosinolates. Glucosinolates in food are believed to be effective in preventing cervical cancer.
Investigate, the content of glucosinolates is what has contributed to a bitter taste in cruciferous vegetables. According to the National Cancer Institute, when broccoli is swallowed and enters the digestive tract, glucosinolates are also broken down into active compounds that are anticancer in nature.
In addition to the broccoli and vegetables previously mentioned, alternative foods that are also a source of flavonoids include apples, garlic, lettuce, onions, soybeans, and spinach.
3. Strawberries
Strawberry is identical to its red fruit color with sweet and sour taste. This fruit is also well known for its various vitamins and carotenoids.
Strawberries also contain folate which is a type of vitamin B. Indian Journal of Medical and Pediatric Oncology Besides the carotenoid content, folate in food can also prevent cervical cancer.
This is because folate in food is thought to help stop the development of HPV infection in the body, thus potentially preventing cervical cancer.
In addition, strawberries also contain polyphenols. Polyphenols are a group of chemicals with strong anticancer properties.
Polyphenols work by targeting viral oncogens, genes that can convert normal cells into tumor cells. As a result, launching from the journal Moleculs , polyphenols can help reduce the risk of cervical cancer. Therefore, strawberries are also included in one of the foods to prevent cervical cancer.
