Update: Fruits and Vegetables Fighting Cancer

Evidence is mounting that consuming generous amounts of fruits and vegetables plays an important role in preventing cancer. Nutritional studies over the past 20 years consistently report that people who eat greater amounts of vegetables and fruits typically have lower rates of cancer. In animal studies, animals fed fruits and vegetables before being exposed to cancer-causing agents are less likely to develop cancerous tumors.

Scientists are looking closely at phytochemicals and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables to determine precisely how and why these health-protective substances can prevent or stop the development of tumors.

Phytochemicals appear to protect the body by stunting the growth of malignant cells. Antioxidants fight free radical damage at the cell level. Scientists believe that it is critical to neutralize free radicals because their uncontrolled destructive activity appears to cause many cancers.

Getting your nutrients from whole food sources is the best bet. According to the Cleveland Clinic Foundation in Ohio, vitamin and mineral supplements in pill form provide some health benefit, but they do not supply the multitude of phytochemicals and antioxidants present in whole fruits and vegetables.

The best advice is to consume health protective phytochemicals and antioxidants by eating a variety of plant foods daily. And get your 1 to 2 ounces of ViaViente each and every day (the equivalent of 5-10 servings of fruits and vegetables) to ensure that you are consuming a wealth of whole fruits and vegetables.