The Leafy Greens Council Duke Comprehensive Cancer Center Center your diet around fruits and vegetables and you ll have one of the best prescriptions for good health. Diet plays a big role in cancer prevention. It is estimated that over one third of all cancer-related deaths could be prevented by a healthy diet. Fruits and vegetables are key. Research suggests that people who eat at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables per day cut their cancer risk in half when compared to those who consume one serving or less.
Vegetables are especially nutrient dense.
Calorie for calorie they pack more vitamins, minerals, fiber and other cancer-fighting agents than any other food group. Cabbage contains at least 11 of the 15 families of vegetable-related compounds found to prevent cancer. Studies suggest that these compounds may hinder a number of steps in the cancer process. Although it is frightening that one out of three Americans will get cancer during their lifetime, it is comforting to know that we can do a lot to prevent this disease. One path to prevention includes a healthy diet with at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.