5 Foods That May Reduce the Risk of Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide and the leading cancer for men in the United States. Here are five nutrient rich foods that may help to prevent it .

1. Onions

Not only is there strong evidence that onions can help lower the risk of prostate cancer, they may also help prevent other types of cancer too.

According to The 150 Healthiest Foods on Earth: The Surprising, Unbiased Truth About What You Should Eat and Why by Jonny Bowden:

"Onions are a cancer-fighting food. In a number of impressive published studies, the consumption of onions (and other members of the allium vegetable family) demonstrated protective effects against stomach cancer. And in one study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, eating onions (as well as other members of its family like garlic, scallions, chives, and leeks) significantly lowered the risk for prostate cancer. Onions (and there close relatives) have also been shown to have the same effect against esophageal cancer."

2. Tomatoes

Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene, which multiple studies suggest may help to both reduce the risk of prostate cancer and prevent tumor growth. Eating cooked tomatoes or tomato sauce along with foods rich in healthy fats, like olive oil or avocados, is the best way to get lycopene in a way that your body can easily absorb.

3. Broccoli

According to http://www.healthline.com:

"Several studies have demonstrated a lower chance of developing prostate cancer among men who eat large amounts of broccoli or other cruciferous vegetables...Although the reasons as to why are still unclear, some researchers propose that one of the pytochemicals found in these vegetables, called sulforaphane, selectively targets and kills cancer cells while leaving normal prostate cells healthy and unaffected."

4. Pomegranate Juice

Preliminary studies show the potential of pomegranate juice to reduce the risk of prostate cancer is promising.

According to http://www.health.harvard.edu

"Two recent studies suggest that pomegranate juice may help fight prostate cancer. In one study, scientists grew cells from highly aggressive cases of human prostate cancer in tissue cultures. Pomegranate fruit extracts slowed the growth of the cultured cancer cells and promoted cell death. The researchers then implanted the cancer cells in mice. A group of mice that received water laced with pomegranate juice developed significantly smaller tumors than the untreated animals. In a preliminary study of men with prostate cancer, pomegranate juice lengthened patients’ PSA doubling time (the longer the doubling time, the slower the tumor is growing) from 15 months before treatment to 54 months on the juice."

5. Grapes

This is good news for red wine lovers. According to 101 Foods That Could Save Your Life! by David Grotto, "A cell study using advanced human prostate cells found that treatment with grape seed extract inhibited cell growth and caused them to die. Another study showed that drinking four or more glasses of red wine per week could cut the risk of prostate cancer in half."

10 Great Health Benefits Of Onions!

1. Onions can help to regulate blood sugar. They contain the mineral chromium which helps cells respond to insulin.

2. Onions can help strengthen your immune system. Not only do onions contain vitamin C, which is critical for a healthy immune system, they also contain flavonoids that help vitamin C function more efficiently.

3. Onions are high in antioxidants. Antioxidants are important in helping to protect the body from free radical damage.

4. Onions can help keep your heart healthy by increasing the production of good cholesterol. 

5. Onions can help to soothe pain from bee stings. Try applying a little onion juice to the affected area for immediate relief.

6. Green onions are high in Vitamin A. Among other health benefits, vitamin A is especially important for good vision.

7. Onions may help to relieve asthma and hay fever. Onions are anti-inflammatory and may block some of the inflammatory responses in the airways.

8. Onions can help to prevent cancer. Onions contain a compound called quercetin which studies suggest may play a significant role in cancer prevention. Onions rank in the top 10 of commonly eaten vegetables in their quercetin content. 

9. Onions can help to increase bone density. As a result, frequent eating of onions may be especially beneficial to older women who are at increased risk of bone loss and resulting fractures.

10. Onions are detoxifying. They are rich in sulfur and are especially good for the liver. 

If you are interested in learning a few fun facts about onions check out: 5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Onions!

5 Super Healthy Pizza Toppings

Although pizza is notorious for being a junk food, loading your pie with these toppings can help turn your guilty pleasure into, well, a much less guiltier pleasure! Not to mention, all of these topping can be absolutely delicious!

1) Spinach-If there is a royal family of super nutritious foods, spinach just might be the king. It is simply a powerhouse of nutrients, and has an enormous amount of disease fighting power. Spinach is rich in Vitamin A, Vitamin C, and Vitamin K, all of which play a huge role in good health. It's high in protein (more so than any other vegetable) and is a decent source of fiber. The combination of carotenoids and flavonoids in spinach help protect against numerous diseases including heart disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and macular degeneration.

2) Onions-Onions contain quercetin which is a powerful antioxidant that helps protect the body from damaging free radicals. Quercetin is also thought to help reduce the risk of lung cancer Onions are also a good source of sulfur, vitamin C, and folate.

3) Pineapples-Pineapples are a good source of vitamin C, B vitamins, and manganese. The high content of vitamin C makes pinapples very healthy in preventing damage caused by free radicals. Perhaps pineapples biggest health benefit, however, comes from a group of digestive enzymes they contain called bromelain. Bromelain has anti-inflammatory properties and is believed to slow down the growth of malignant tumors, enhance of absorption of some drugs (such as amoxicillan), and help promote the healing of injuries by reducing pain and swelling.

4) Olives-Olives are rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fat. They also contain iron, copper, and fiber. Olives are also rich in Vitamin E a fat-soluble antioxidant that neutralizes damaging free radicals and helps prevent disease.

5) Oregano- This herb contains a plethora of vitamins and phytochemicals that act as strong antioxidants. It is also a good source of lutein and beta-carotene.

                                                                      

5 Things You Probably Didn't Know About Onions

1) According to folklore, the thickness of onion's skin can predict the severity of the next winter. The thinner the skin, the milder the winter is expected to be.

2) In ancient Egypt, onions were considered to be an object of worship and were often buried with Pharaohs. To some Egyptians the spherical shape and rings represented eternal life.

3) In the Middle Ages some people would pay their rent with onions and give them as gifts!

4) Onions are rich in quercetin, a powerful flavonoid antioxidant that has been shown to have beneficial effects against lung cancer.

5) Chewing a little bit a fresh parsley after eating onions is said to help with onion breath!