Cancer rates are skyrocketing, especially among young people. Lifestyle matters. 

Here are 5 cancer-fighting foods everyone should be adding to their diet:

1. Purple sweet potatoes: More than just colorful carbs. A simple swap from white to purple can turn comfort food into cancer-fighting fuel. The anthocyanins in these beauties can target and kill colon cancer stem cells- the cells that drive tumor growth¹. They contain 150% more anthocyanins than blueberries. If you can’t find purple sweet potatoes, look for mini purple potatoes in a “baby potato medley” bag. These babies are also a great source of anthocyanins. Wild blueberries too!

2. Broccoli microgreens and broccoli sprouts: Small but mighty! Sulforaphane is a potent anti-cancer phytochemical that induces apoptosis and inhibits cancer cell proliferation². Found in cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage, sulforaphane is most concentrated in broccoli microgreens and sprouts. They pack 50-100x more cancer-fighting power than mature broccoli! Protects specifically against lymphoma, breast cancer, and colon cancer.

3. Kiwis: Just 1 kiwi can reduce oxidative stress and DNA damage by 60%, while 3 kiwis can boost DNA repair by another 60%³. And not to mention they’re an excellent source of fiber!

4. Green tea: packed with EGCG, which can activate tumor suppressor genes that stop cancer cells from growing. Matcha in particular cuts off the fuel source to breast cancer stem cells and interferes with their metabolism, causing them to become inactive⁴.

5. Beans: Fiber isn’t just about keeping you regular. It’s about prolonging life. And what better way to get a hefty dose of fiber than beans? A high intake of dietary fiber is associated with a reduced risk of several types of cancer, including esophageal, gastric, colon, rectal, breast, endometrial, ovarian, renal cell, prostate, and pancreatic cancers⁵. A ½ cup serving of beans contains about 8 grams of fiber. A good daily goal is 30 grams of fiber per day (or 10 grams per meal).

 Knowledge is power, but ACTION in the kitchen is what counts! Here are some of my favorite recipes to incorporate these superfoods into your lifestyle:

Purple Sweet Potatoes

Broccoli Microgreens and Sprouts

I use these as a healthy topper to anything and everything I make. They make your food beautiful AND they significantly boost the nutrient density!

Kiwis

No recipe needed here. Eat as is (with the skin on for a bonus dose of fiber!) or add them to yogurt bowls.

Green Tea

If you’re not a matcha fan, try this Super Antioxidant Green Tea by Yogi (below). It has a mild pleasant taste, is easy, and is readily available at most grocery stores.

Beans

Want to learn more about how to cook, meal prep, and thrive with plants? Join my Plant Power Group Visit!

The evidence is clear: people live longer when they eat more fiber-rich, polyphenol-rich plant foods. 

And while knowledge is power, ACTION in the kitchen is what counts! Join my Plant Power class – learn to cook, meal prep, and thrive with plants in a supportive group setting.

Explore, Cook & Taste Foods That Support:

• The gut microbiome
• Hormone balance
• Healthy metabolism & weight management
• Strong bones
• Healthy cholesterol levels

Event Details:

• When: Thursday, March 5th at 9:30am OR 12:00pm
• Where: Lakeside’s Food Is Medicine Kitchen- 3510 N Oakland Ave, Suite 203, Shorewood, WI 53211
• Cost: $130/person (includes 90-minute class, food, & printed guidebook with recipes & health tips)

These group visits fill up quickly! Call the office at (414)939-8748 or email info@lakesidenaturalmedicine.com to save your spot!

References:

1. Charepalli V, Reddivari L, Radhakrishnan S, Vadde R, Agarwal R, Vanamala JK. Anthocyanin-containing purple-fleshed potatoes suppress colon tumorigenesis via elimination of colon cancer stem cells. J Nutr Biochem. 2015 Dec;26(12):1641-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jnutbio.2015.08.005. Epub 2015 Aug 14. PMID: 26383537.
2. Asif Ali M, Khan N, Kaleem N, Ahmad W, Alharethi SH, Alharbi B, Alhassan HH, Al-Enazi MM, Razis AFA, Modu B, Calina D, Sharifi-Rad J. Anticancer properties of sulforaphane: current insights at the molecular level. Front Oncol. 2023 Jun 16;13:1168321. doi: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1168321. PMID: 37397365; PMCID: PMC10313060.
3. Collins AR. Kiwifruit as a modulator of DNA damage and DNA repair. Adv Food Nutr Res. 2013;68:283-99. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-394294-4.00016-X. PMID: 23394994.
4. Bonuccelli G, Sotgia F, Lisanti MP. Matcha green tea (MGT) inhibits the propagation of cancer stem cells (CSCs), by targeting mitochondrial metabolism, glycolysis and multiple cell signalling pathways. Aging (Albany NY). 2018 Aug 23;10(8):1867-1883. doi: 10.18632/aging.101483. PMID: 30153655; PMCID: PMC6128439.
5. Veronese N, Gianfredi V, Solmi M, Barbagallo M, Dominguez LJ, Mandalà C, Di Palermo C, Carruba L, Solimando L, Stubbs B, Castagna A, Maggi S, Zanetti M, Al-Daghri N, Sabico S, Nucci D, Gosling C, Fontana L. The impact of dietary fiber consumption on human health: An umbrella review of evidence from 17,155,277 individuals. Clin Nutr. 2025 Aug;51:325-333. doi: 10.1016/j.clnu.2025.06.021. Epub 2025 Jul 7. PMID: 40651334.