Green plants contain particularly large amounts of chlorophyll, which is a detoxifier and possibly an anticancer agent. 3 Foods rich in chlorophyll include chlorella and other blue-green algae, beet greens, bok choy, collards, dandelion greens, kale, mustard greens and nettles. Chlorella powder, specifically, may reduce side effects of chemotherapy for some patients and may possess direct anticancer activities. These constituents are antioxidants and anticancer agents due to several different mechanisms. 6,7 More than 600 carotenoids occur naturally, but carotenes are the most widely known.
Carotenes seem to offer protection against lung, colorectal, breast, uterine and prostate cancers.
8 Carotenes, which destroy oxygen free radicals in lipids, enhance immune response and protect cells against UV radiation. 9 Foods rich in these flavonoids include apricots, carrots, citrus fruits, squash and tomatoes in addition to many green foods. The anthocyanidins are a type of complex flavonoid that produce blue, purple or red colors. Foods rich in these phytochemicals include beets, blackberries, blueberries, cherries, purple and red grapes, and purple cabbage. 10 Anthocyanidins seem to stabilize and protect capillaries from oxidative damage 11 and have been shown to stabilize connective tissue, promote collagen formation, improve microcirculation and help protect blood vessels from oxidative damage.