How to reduce the risk of cervical cancerIt is no longer a secret that eating a large variety of vegetables and fruits can help prevent the development of cervical cancer. HPV virus infection is the main cause for most cervical cancer cases. According to experts, taking a diet that is rich in carotenoids, antioxidants, folate, and flavonoid found in vegetables and fruits help the body in fighting the HPV infection and in preventing the HPV infection from becoming cancerous lesions. In a recent study, it was found that women whose tests on their blood had high chemical compounds, which indicate a diet that is rich in vegetables and fruits were able to quickly clear HPV infections compared to their peers and this helps in reducing cancer risk.

How a diet can fight cervical cancer

Most of the researches undertaken have shown that diet has great benefits on cancer, particularly when it comes to consumption of plant-based diet. This means a diet that primarily comprises of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and beans. There are so many ways in which one can succeed in including the foods in the diet. It is recommended that you add different color varieties to your diet and include nutritious foods that are able to fight cervical cancer in all your three meals. This for example includes:

  • Breakfast: cantaloupe, orange juice, granola and yogurt
  • Lunch: carrots, zucchini, and mushrooms, etc.
  • Dinner: take a tossed romaine salad comprising of some grapefruit segments as well as whole wheat pasta together with black beans, spinach, diced tomatoes, and chicken.

Flavonoid reduce the risk of cervical cancer

Fruits and vegetables have certain chemical compounds known as a flavonoid, which is among the most important nutrients needed to protect cancer. Here are some foods that are known to be rich in flavonoid and it is essential that you add them to your diet.

  • Asparagus
  • Apples
  • Broccoli
  • Black beans
  • Brussels sprouts
  • Cranberries
  • Cabbage
  • Lettuce
  • Garlic
  • Onions
  • Lima beans
  • Soy
  • Spinach

Folate as a reducer for cervical cancer

According to studies, foods that are rich in folate, i.e. water-soluble B vitamins can significantly reduce the risk of cervical cancer for people having HPV. Researchers are yet to know how folate impacts on the cancer risk. Possibly, folate helps in preventing an HPV infection from repeating and this minimizes the risk for developing cancer. Some of the foods that contain folate in large amounts include:

  • Chickpeas
  • Avocadoes
  • Breads and fortified cereals
  • Orange juice
  • Lentils
  • Strawberries
  • Romaine lettuce

As far as cervical cancer is concerned, diet is just a part of solution. According to health experts, cervical cancer is ideally a lifestyle cancer and even vegetarians at a risk of developing cervical cancer.