Anti-inflammatory. The oleic acid that's part of avocado's monounsaturated fats may protect against breast cancer, while other phytochemicals and vitamin E are believed to combat prostate cancer growth. Glutathione, a combination of amino acids abundant in avocados, works as an internal vacuum cleaner, taking carcinogens (outside substances known to promote cancer, such as cigarette smoke) away from healthy cells they can damage. California's Hass avocados have shown promising effects in taking on oral and prostate cancers. Recipes: Avocado Cream, Avocado Dressing, and Cooling Cucumber, Avocado Soup, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Blueberries rule when it comes to anticancer properties. Their phytochemicals include ellagic acid, which interferes with the metabolic pathways that feed certain cancers. Another ingredient, kaempferol, can help reduce risk of pancreatic cancer. Another set of acids, called phenols, causes colon cells to self-destruct. Blueberries are also high in pectin. Recipes: Blueberry Compote from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Sulforaphane, a well-studied phytochemical in broccoli, appears to slow the growth of leukemia and melanoma. Another metabolite, glucosinolate, can inhibit breast and cancer growth. When broccoli and tomatoes are eaten together, their cancer-fighting capabilities are more powerful because their active compounds work on different anticancer pathways. Recipes: Basil Broccoli, from, The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen, Szechwan Broccoli, from One Bite at a Time.

Anti-inflammatory, antibacterial. Cabbage, along with cruciferous kin such as cauliflower, kale, Brussels sprouts, broccoli, bok choy, and turnips, is extremely high in anticancer phytochemicals. One such property, indole-3-carbinol (called I3C for short), nearly doubles how quickly the liver can break down estrogen so it doesn't remain in the body. Cooking cabbage for the right amount of time (in other words, not too long) is important to retain a compound called sinigrin, which reacts with an enzyme to release molecules that detoxify carinogens and inhibit the division and growth of tumor cells. Recipes: Jicama and Red Cabbage Salad with Mint and Cilantro Tossed with Sweet -and — Sour Asian Dressing, from One Bite at a Time; Warm Napa Cabbage Slaw from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Studies show that just a carrot a day could cut lung cancer risk in half. That's probably due to their extremely high vitamin A content, which is vital to promoting lung health. They're also rich in beta-carotene (that's what accounts in part for their beautiful orange color), which is associated with preventing lung, mouth, throat, stomach, intestinal, bladder, prostate, and breast cancers. Recipes: Carrot Ginger Soup from One Bite at a Time, Bella's Carrot Orange Fennel Soup, and Cumin Toasted Carrots, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Brassicas, the family of crucerifous vegetables that includes kale,contain loads of a compound called indole-3-carbinol. Animal studies in particular are looking at the compound's ability to change the way estrogen metabolizes. That could affect estrogensensitive tissues, perhaps preventing lesions from turning cancerous or keeping cancer cells from proliferating. Recipes: Dark Leafy Greens with Caramelized Onions, Raisins and Pine Nuts from One Bite at a Time; Kale with Carrots and Kale with Sweet Potatoes and Pecans, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial. The high vitamin C content in citrus fruits helps the immune system stay strong. Additionally, citrus provides the body with several anti-inflammatory and anticancer compounds, including limonene (in the zest), which promotes cell death in cancer cells. Liminoids are helpful if you're dealing with cancers of the skin, lung, breast, colon, stomach, or mouth. Recipes: Lemony Greek Chicken Soup, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial. Citrus helps against many cancers, notably mouth, throat, and stomach cancers. Indiana University researchers found that some of the oilsin citrus, called monoterpenes, help eat up carcinogens in animals, slowing tumor growth. VitaminC, which is abundant in oranges, has been associated with cutting colon cancer risk. Recipes: Orange Shallot Vinaigrette, from One Bite at a Time; Orange Ginger Roasted Chicken and Orange Pistachio Cous Cous from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. As with raspberries, strawberries are loaded with anthocyanidins that inhibit tumor growth, as well as ellagitannins, which appear to have similar health benefits. Strawberries also slow the growth of liver cancer cells. Recipes: Creamy Banana and Strawberry Coconut Shake from One Bite at a Time; Strawberries with Mango, Coconut "Sabayon" from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Those beautiful orange-yellows of yams and sweet potatoes are the tip-off that these vegetables are loaded with cancer-fighting beta-carotene and vitamin C. Recipes: Sweet Potato-Coconut Soup, Mashed Ginger Sweet Potatoes with Fresh Nutmeg from One Bite at a Time; Spiced Sweet Potato Soup from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Perhaps one of the most powerful cancer-fighting foods. Swiss chard is loaded with beta-carotene, fiber, and vitamins A and C. Betalain, a pigment in Swiss chard, is also being studied for potential anticancer properties. Recipes: Swiss Chard Braised with Tomatoes and Corn, Swiss Chard Galettes, from One Bite at a Time; Emerald Greens with Orange, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Tomatoes contain the powerful antioxidant lycopene. Put that antioxidant together with a healthy oil (such as olive oil) and the combination reduces risk for cancers of the pancreas, prostate, breast, and colon. Speaking of prostate cancer, it appears that eating tomatoes and broccoli together has a synergistic protective effect. Recipes: Roasted Red Roma Tomato Soup, Basil Broccoli, The Signora's Tomato Sauce, Tomato Mint Chutney from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Almonds are a fantastic source of fiber, which may help prevent colon cancer. They have twice the antioxidant power with their skins on. They're also good blood sugar regulators, important if you're on chemo or steroids that can elevate blood sugar. Recipes: Almond-Peach Ginger Cream, Flourless Almond Torte, Chocolate Orange Mini-Muffins from One Bite at a Time; Almond Muffin Mania, Flourless Almond Torte, Spiced Toasted Almonds, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Another grain that eases digestion, buckwheat has a high fiber content that regulates bowel function and carries toxins quickly and efficiently out of the body, which may help decrease the risk of colon cancer. Recipes: Creamiest Buckwheat from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Cashews provide a rich source of copper, which is important because copper deficiency is associated with increased risk of colon cancer. Like avocados they're also high in oleic acid, an anticancer component of monounsaturated fat. Recipes: Cashew Tart Crust with Fresh Berries from One Bite at a Time; Cashew Cream from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Aside from being a fantastic source of protein, chickpeas are good regulators of blood sugar and cholesterol, which can be affected by treatments. As with other high fiber veggies, chickpeas help flush toxins from the body and may reduce colon cancer risk. Recipes: Chickpea Soup with Caramelized Fennel and Orange Zest from One Bite at a Time; Middle Eastern Chickpea Burgers from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Edamame (or soybeans) jumpstart the immune system, and in one study soybeans kept cancer from developing in animals exposed to carcinogens. Their isoflavones act like roadblocks, starving cancer cells by preventing the formation of new blood vessels in the body. Recipes: Asian Japonica Rice Salad with Edamame from One Bite at a Time; Edamame, Avocado Dip, Mixed Greens with Edamame, Radish and Avocado Salad from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Having cancer once can put you at greater risk for recurrence, but beans and lentils can lower the odds. Studies show that diets high in beans or lentils lowered breast cancer recurrence in women. As with many high fiber foods, both lower coloncancer risk. They're also linked to controlling blood sugar and carrying toxins from the body, both of which are important when undergoing treatment. They are fantastic sources of protein and numerous minerals including phosphorus, iron, protein, and the impossible to pronounce molybdenum, which, when deficient in the body, has been linked to stomach and esophageal cancers. Recipes: Lemony Lentil Soup with Pistachio Cream, from One Bite at a Time; Velvety Lentil Dahl, Mediterranean Lentil Salad from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Millet contains laetrile (another name for amygdalin), which in the 1980s was touted by some as being a miracle cure for cancer; science quickly disproved that, and laetrile was discredited. But at least one recent study suggests that amygdalin may have some beneficial properties after all, especially the ability to induce cell death in prostate cancer cells. Millet's high fiber also cleans out the bowel, which may decrease colon cancer risk. Recipes: Creamy Millet with Blueberry Compote from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Quinoa contains lignans; in the body, the gut converts lignans into enterolactone, which some scientists believe mimics estrogen, but in a way that might protect against hormone-dependent breast cancer. Recipes: Cous Cous Quinoa with Mint and Tomatoes from One Bite at a Time; Quinoa Pilaf from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. Rice derived from whole grains, such as brown rice, is a fantastic source of fiber and may also protect premenopausal women against breast cancer, particularly those who are overweight. Whole grain rice fiber can also reduce colon cancer risk. Recipes: Asian Japonica Rice Salad, Coconut Ginger Rice, Garlicky Brown Basmati Rice from One Bite at a Time; Catherine's Magic Green Tea Rice, from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.

Anti-inflammatory. As with flaxseeds, sesame seeds are rich in lignans, which may offer protection against hormone-related cancers. Similarly, sesame seeds are rich in gammatocopherols (a form of vitamin E), which studies say may help men dealing with prostate cancer. Recipes: Anytime Crunch from One Bite at a Time.

Anti-inflammatory. Unique among grains, spelt contains the tongue-twisting sugars known as mucopolysaccharides, which play a role in connective tissues such as cartilage. These same sugars invigorate the immune system and assist in blood clotting. Recipes: Savory Spelt Tart Crust from One Bite at a Time.

Anti-inflammatory. Walnuts contain ellagic acid (as do many berries), which caused cancer cells to self-destruct in the lab. It also appears to limit estrogen's growth potential regarding breast cancer cells and it may help the liver to remove cancer-causing elements in the blood. Recipes: Anytime Crunch from One Bite at a Time; Maple Glazed Walnuts from The Cancer-Fighting Kitchen.