Foods That Help Reduce Gynecologic Cancer Risk
You may know the basics for enhancing overall health and reducing the risk for many illnesses:
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Stay physically active.
- Limit high calorie foods and sugary drinks.
- Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Consume moderate amounts of red meat and avoid processed meat.
- Moderate alcohol consumption.
- Limit salt.
But did you know that eating specific types of food may play a role in helping to reduce the risk of some gynecological cancers, such as cervical, ovarian and endometrial cancer (cancer of the uterus or uterine cancer)?
What should you eat to help reduce the risk for cervical cancer?
Most cervical cancer is caused by infection with a common sexually-transmitted virus known as human papillomavirus (HPV). It’s usually harmless, though in some cases it can cause cervical cancer. A study found that if a woman contracted HPV, eating one or more servings of certain vegetables daily could actually help her body eliminate the virus. Vegetables in the study included:
- Sweet potatoes
- Spinach
- Kale and other greens
- Papaya
- Oranges
- Sweet peppers
- Tomatoes
