Nutrition
Antioxidants. You’ll find them everywhere — in drinks, powders, even beauty products. Why the buzz? Some research shows that antioxidants may help prevent the development of some cancers.
What are antioxidants?
Antioxidants are chemicals — either naturally occurring in food or manmade — with properties that may prevent or delay some cell damage. Antioxidants fight free radicals, unstable molecules in our bodies that can create a process that causes cell damage. That cell damage can lead to a variety of diseases including cancer. Smoking, air pollution, sunlight, and industrial chemicals are just some of the sources of free radicals people are exposed to every day. Antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals before they can do damage to our bodies.
To harness the power of antioxidants, many people opt to take antioxidant supplements. However, research isn’t definitive about whether this approach is that effective. To get the most out of antioxidants, try incorporating them into a balanced diet of whole foods. Eating healthy, fresh antioxidant-rich foods also ensures you’ll get more vitamins, minerals, and fiber from those foods.
Antioxidant-rich foods
These foods are high in antioxidants that may help protect against cancer. They’re also packed with other vitamins and minerals. And they’re tasty and versatile. What’s not to love?
- Tomatoes – contain lycopene which helps fight prostate cancer
- Broccoli – along with other cruciferous veggies, is packed with special compounds that protect against some cancers
- Grapes – are high in the antioxidant resveratrol
- Berries – are high in vitamin C and antioxidants that can protect against cell damage
- Whole grains – are rich in fiber and full of plant compounds that may help fight cancer
Mom's Meals® can help
If you or a loved one is undergoing cancer treatment, it’s important to get the balanced nutrition needed to help fight the disease. We offer a Protein+ menu with at least 25 grams of protein and 600 calories. They’re nutritionally tailored for cancer patients by registered dietitians and in accordance with guidelines from the American Institute for Cancer Research.
