5 Cancer-Fighting Foods to Put on Your Plate

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According to the National Cancer Institute, the easiest and most cost-effective way to decrease your risk for cancer is by eating better. Although most people know what to avoid in order to stay healthy—mainly processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, and those packed with sugar (especially fructose)—knowing which foods pack the most nutritional punch can be less clear.

Most experts agree that a diet rich in cancer-fighting ingredients is largely plant-based. The general rule of thumb when setting your plate is two parts plants to one part protein or whole grain. So while all fruits and veggies are good for you, there are certain foods that are just better. Here are five of those cancer-fighting foods everyone should add to their diet.

1. Folate-Rich Foods

Dark green, leafy vegetables are overflowing with this B-complex vitamin. Sufficient levels of folate protect against DNA mutations, which in turn protects us against cancer. However, even if you don’t eat that many dark green vegetables, you can still get folate in its synthetic form—folic acid—as many manufacturers of cereals, pastas, and breads fortify their products with it.