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Being diagnosed with cancer is not easy for anyone. Getting the news that you have to battle a potentially fatal illness can drive you to the edge.

Generally, people start treatment immediately after being diagnosed. Part of that is because the symptoms are usually detectable when the cancer has advanced. For those who are lucky, the illness is detected early before things get more severe.

Depending on what your doctor advices, treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy begin so that recovery starts as soon as possible. Along with the treatments, there are other lifestyle habits that doctors usually encourage cancer patients to adapt.

Certain types of foods and fruits have been known to promote healing during recovery time. Although it is not written in black and white that certain foods can completely eliminate cancerous cells in the body, there are some that can definitely help with recovery time.

In case you are interested in knowing the foods that promote recovery, here is a list of some essential ones that are recommended to cancer patients.

1. Fish

Fish is a great alternative to ‘harmful’ meats such as red meat and processed meat like bacon, sausages, among others. Many types of fish are very nutritious and contain many vitamins that are beneficial for cancer patients. There are certain types of fish that are rich in essential vitamins and omega-3 which have proved to even lower the risk of getting different types of cancer. These vitamins are very essential and can be consumed even in the form of fish oil supplements. Fish is therefore an important food for recovery when battling cancer.

 

Fish is a great alternative to ‘harmful’ meats such as red meat. Image: Pexels

2. Apples

Apples are one of the most popular cancer fighting fruits known today. They contain powerful vitamins and fibrous nutrients which ease digestion for cancer patients. As treatments proceed, patients are bound to experience some digestive issues such as constipation.

Apples also contain a lot of important nutrients such as polyphenols which are essential for fighting tumorous growth as well as maintaining overall health. These nutrients have been studied over time and have proven to play a big role in the health of recovering patients.

Due to this, many doctors usually recommend apples as part of the daily diet for cancer patients in order to ease some of the effects of the illness and the medication.

 

 Apples ease some of the effects of the illness and the medication. Image: Pexels

3. Beans

Beans are super foods that are also recommended for recovering patients. There are a variety of beans out there, but the type considered essential for those battling cancer are red kidney beans. This is because they contain great antioxidant and fiber properties which help fight different cancer types. Along with these benefits, they have phytochemical benefits which contribute immensely to the protection of body cells from cancer.

 

Red kidney beans are essential for those battling cancer. Image: Milada Vigerova on Unsplash

4. Leafy greens

Leafy vegetables that help beat cancer include kale, spinach, lettuce, broccoli, cabbage and other essential vegetables. Studies have shown that these veggies contain important antioxidant properties that help fight cancer. These essential properties include vitamin B9, carotenoids and also isothiocyanates, which are important for overall health.

In general, we are always advised to include leafy greens in our daily diets in order to be fit and healthy. When it comes to cancer, these greens are more essential because they prevent cells from becoming cancerous.

Cancer patients are encouraged to always include leafy greens in their diet in order to help their bodies fight the cancer cells.

 

 Greens prevent cells from becoming cancerous. Image: Heather Gill on Unsplash

5. Berries

Over the years, berries have been one of the top fruits that have helped prevent and beat cancer. The different types of berries include strawberries, blueberries, cranberries and cherries. Many of these berries act as powerful antioxidants and antiviruses which prevent the cells from damage. They also contain different vitamins such as A and C which can increase cell immunity. Different berries hold many important properties and are therefore essential.

 

Berries have been one of the top fruits that have helped prevent and beat cancer. Image: Pexels

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