Superfoods that Naturally Fight Bladder Cancer

According to the National Cancer Institute, bladder cancer results in 14,000 deaths yearly. While bladder cancer is linked to several risk factors—including smoking, poor diet, and obesity—bladder issues and bladder cancer may also be prevented by adopting a healthier lifestyle and diet.

Help to significantly lower your risk of bladder cancer by incorporating the following bladder superfoods into your diet:

1. Tomatoes
This juice fruit that thinks it’s a veggie is one bladder cancer ally you don’t want to pass up, according to research from the University of Toronto, in Canada. Researchers note that farm fresh tomatoes are the best source of the cancer-fighting antioxidant, lycopene, which prevents cellular damage and certain types of cancer from developing (i.e., bladder and prostate cancers).

2. Garlic
This pungent spice may be awful on the breath, but it’s certainly good for bladder health. For instance, garlic is a natural anti-inflammatory that’s been linked to everything from lowering blood pressure, high cholesterol, and even for decreasing inflammation of the heart, kidneys, bladder, and prostate.

3. Green tea
Yes, the good-for-you brew is also a wonder at protecting the liver from developing cancer. This is because the green grew contains epigallocatechin gallate (known as EGCG), a powerful cancer-fighting compound linked to decreasing the risk of bladder cancer AND increasing life expectancy for bladder cancer patients, according to studies from the University of Maryland Medical Center.

4. Cranberry juice
Research from the University of Alabama indicates that drinking pure cranberry juice can decrease the overall risk of developing bladder cancer thanks to the natural compound, quercetin, which blocks the formation of cancer cells. In a 2008 rodent study, scientists administered 100% cranberry juice to rats, as a result, cancerous cells in the bladder significantly diminished.

5. Almonds
Go nuts for almonds! Why, you ask? Because scientific research shows this particular nut (in addition to olive oil) is rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that’s long linked to decreasing the risk of bladder cancer incidence by up to 40%, according to studies out of the University of Texas.