Free radicals occur naturally in our body and help in regular cell functions. If the free radicals are concentrated, they can cause damage to every component of the cells, including DNA, proteins, and cell membranes. Damage to the DNA is a primary reason for cancer. Antioxidants are a type of chemicals that can destroy and neutralize free radicals. Our body produces antioxidants, and further input can be obtained from the food we eat.

Eating antioxidant-rich food is important for preventing cancer and for those recovering from cancer, as it helps in faster healing. Here is a list of foods that are rich in antioxidants and is recommended for cancer prevention.

1. Cruciferous vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables include cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale, collard greens, and Brussel sprouts. They also include horseradish, turnips watercress, and wasabi. The group of vegetables is rich in antioxidants. They also contain glucosinolates which break down while cooking and inhibit cancer growth.

2. Beta-carotene-rich food
The pigment beta-carotene by itself is an antioxidant. It gives orange and yellow hues to fruits and vegetables. The foods and vegetables rich in beta-carotene like squash, cantaloupe, red and yellow peppers, apricots, dark leafy greens, lettuce, paprika, chili, parsley, sage, coriander, marjoram are all rich in beta carotene. With so many natural sources of beta-carotene, you can choose more than one item to be a part of your diet in every meal to prevent cancer.

3. Lycopene
Lycopene is termed a powerful tool that fights cell damage. It is similar to beta carotene and gives fruits and vegetables a red color. Food rich in lycopene are tomatoes, watermelon, pink grapefruit, rosehip, guava, and apricots. You have to include at least one fruit or one vegetable with lycopene every day in your diet as they can prevent cancer.

4. Selenium
Selenium is a mineral primarily, and we may need only small quantities for our body. However, selenium acts as an antioxidant when too many free radicals are caused in the body due to smoking, stress, and overuse of alcohol. Selenium plays a vital role in reducing oxidative stress, directly preventing cell damage thereby preventing cancer. Good sources of selenium are mushrooms, chicken breast, sunflower seeds, eggs, yellowfin tuna, oysters, Brazil nuts, halibut, and sardines. Increase the intake of selenium-rich food to prevent cancer.

5. Vitamin C and E
Vitamin C and E are two of the best-known antioxidants which can slow down cell damage. Vitamin C is water-soluble and is important to create collagen, and also helps in metabolism and healing. Vitamin C is not only an antioxidant. Vitamin C assists in the regeneration of other antioxidants like Vitamin E in our bodies. Vitamin E is stored in our fat, and since our body does not produce Vitamin E, we need to supply it through the food we eat. Vitamin C and Vitamin E together are very powerful and aid in cancer prevention. Some Vitamin C-rich foods are citrus fruits, peppers, berries, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and potatoes. Vitamin E-rich foods are almonds, avocados, spinach, Swiss chard, butternut squash, and peanuts.