Your diet have an significant role in developing cancer. Certain foods, including fruits, contain health-promoting compounds that may slow tumor growth and reduce certain side effects of treatments.
Choosing the right foods while treatment is important, because cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause many side effects, which can be either worsened or improved by what you eat and drink. Filling your diet with nutritious foods, including fruits, helps supply your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants throughout your cancer treatment.
Here are the best fruits to eat during and after cancer treatment.
Bananas
Bananas can be a great dietary addition for those recovering from cancer. It is a good source of many important nutrients, including vitamin B6, manganese, and vitamin C. Additionally, bananas contain a type of fiber called pectin, which can be especially beneficial for those experiencing diarrhea caused by cancer treatments. Because bananas are rich in potassium, they can also help replenish electrolytes lost through diarrhea or vomiting.
Blueberries
Blueberries are a nutritional powerhouse, packing plenty of fiber, vitamin C, and manganese into each serving. They’re also rich in antioxidants and have been well studied for their cancer-fighting effects. Blueberries may also help alleviate chemo brain, a term used to describe problems with memory and concentration that some people experience during cancer treatment and recovery.
Grapefruit
Grapefruit is a nutritious fruit loaded with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals. In addition to providing a hearty dose of vitamin C, provitamin A, and potassium, it’s rich in beneficial compounds like lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid with potent anticancer properties. Some research suggests that it may reduce certain negative side effects of cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation.
Strawberries
Another vitamin C-packed berry: a cup of strawberries delivers about 1.5 times your daily recommended amount. Research shows that people who eat more vitamin C are less likely to develop colon cancer, even if they drink alcohol, eat red meat, or use tobacco. And smokers who get more C in their diet are less likely to develop lung cancer.
Create a healthy cancer-fighting eating pattern that that fits your food preferences and lifestyle. It’s not about eating perfectly. Every small change, including adding cancer-fighting foods to your diet and limiting foods that increase cancer, has the potential to make a difference.
Raspberries
A single cup of raspberries delivers around 8 grams of fiber. 30 grams of fiber a day to help lower cancer risk. These fibrous berries also boast cancer-fighting compounds like vitamin C and ellagitannins.
Apples
Apples are the most popular and nutritious fruit, each serving is rich in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C — all of which can benefit cancer recovery. The fiber found in apples can promote regularity and keep things moving through your digestive tract. Potassium affects your fluid balance and can help prevent fluid retention, a common side effect of some types of chemotherapy.
Lemons
Lemons are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in every serving, especially high in vitamin C, but also contain some potassium, iron, and vitamin B6. Test-tube studies have found that lemon extract may help prevent the growth of several types of cancer cells.
Pomegranates
Pomegranates are high in vitamin C and fiber but also pack plenty of vitamin K, folate, and potassium. Eating pomegranates help to improve your memory, which could help those affected by impairments in focus or concentration caused by chemotherapy.
Oranges
This citrus fruit is rich in vitamin C and nutrients like thiamine, folate, and potassium. Vitamin C plays a key role in immunity and can help strengthen your immune system during and after cancer treatment. Studies also found that vitamin C may reduce the growth and spread of cancer cells and act as a therapeutic against certain types of cancer .
Include these fruits in your cancer diet, it will help you keep healthy and reduce side effects of treatments.
