We’re told that “an apple a day keeps the doctor away,” but how much truth is there behind this old adage?
As it turns out, a lot! Science today continues to show that what you eat plays a dramatic role in your overall health, including in the development of certain cancers. Even better: Certain fruits provide your body with ample amounts of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that have been linked to the slowing of tumor growth and cancerous cells.
We’ve compiled a list of the top six cancer-fighting fruits for your easy reference. There’s even a That’s it. Fruit Bar to make it easy and delicious to harness these benefits for yourself!
Apples
The saying “An apple day keeps the doctor away” holds up in this case. Apples are rich in potassium, vitamin C, and fiber all of which have been proven to support the body’s immune function and help fight the growth of cancer cells 1.
Strawberries
Good news for strawberry lovers: These berries are not only packed with vitamin C and fiber, but they contain the richest form of ellagic acid, a natural chemical that deactivates some carcinogens and helps slow the reproduction of cancer cells 2 .
Blueberries
Blueberries are packed with vitamin C, magnesium, and tons of fiber. They also contain powerful phytochemicals that help increase antioxidants in the blood to help prevent DNA damage 3 .
Mangoes
Mangoes have been dubbed “The King of Fruit” not just because they are available year-round, but because they’re loaded with polyphenols that have been proven to kill off cancer cells4 . Researches at Texas A&M University studied these micronutrients and found that they decreased breast cancer cell growth by 90% 5.
Pineapples
Pineapples have been used for centuries as a holistic way to help the body fight inflammation, but they also contain some amazing benefits that may reduce the risk of cancers6. Studies have shown that pineapple minimizes oxidative stress, which is commonly linked to cancer cell growth7.
Pears
This sweet, bell-shaped fruit packs a powerful punch by supplying the body with fiber, copper, vitamin C, and vitamin K in each serving8. Pears also contain a special plant pigment that has been linked to decreased cancer cell growth9.
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1 https://fdc.nal.usda.gov/fdc-app.html#/food-details/341508/nutrients2 https://www.aicr.org/cancer-prevention/food-facts/strawberries/
3 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/10-proven-benefits-of-blueberries
4 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6826946/
5 https://nfs.tamu.edu/2014/05/28/research-studies-show-mango-may-help-prevent-breast-cancer/
6 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19149749/
7 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/24123777/
8 https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/benefits-of-pears
9 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6409758/
