While most women across the world would be thankful for the steps that have been taken at various levels for breast cancer awareness, there still are many issues that remain unattended. Various problems faced by women, including rashes, lump formation and fibrocystic breasts, can pose serious discomfort, requiring urgent treatment.
The situation is, of course, made more complex by the hesitation that many women feel while seeking medical help. Fortunately, many of these issues can be prevented by including the right ingredients in your daily diet. Here are a few foods that help in aiding breast health.
1. Sage
Including sage in the diet can prevent excessive sweating in and around the breasts, which helps in preventing rashes. The herb, related to the mint family, contains helpful antioxidants. The flowers of this plant are edible too. Usually consumed in small amounts, sage has medicinal properties that can also help cure gastrointestinal problems and benefit mental health. It aids in fighting cancers and keeps chronic ailments at bay. This herb is not recommended for pregnant women. You can consume sage in form of tea or you can simply use it as a garnish to add some exotic flavour to your meals.
2. Squash
Squash is a refreshing vegetable, which is available in many varieties. It can be consumed in many ways, including salad, pasta, pie and so on. Squash contains a pigment called beta-carotene, which provides the bright colour to this vegetable, and also guards women from fibrocystic breasts as well as prevents lump formations. This vegetable provides your body with calcium, improves immunity, and fights cancer. It is great for your skin, sight and heart. This humble vegetable also helps in combating ulcers and arthritis.
3. Blueberries
This fruit has got dietary fibres that help in reducing cancer risk. The fibre content in blueberries helps in fighting breast cancer as well as maintaining weight by cutting down the extra body fat, which is a source of cancer. Blueberries can be consumed in the form of milkshakes or smoothies, or mixed with cereals and desserts, or you can just wash them and pop them in your mouth!
4. Soy
Soy contains two compounds — genistein and daidzein — that reduced the risk of having fibrocystic breasts. These compounds are also present in soybeans, tempeh, miso and tofu. A study conducted on more than 9,000 survivors of breast cancer revealed that soy consumption also stops the tumour from recurring. Consuming soy is also said to help in soothing the side-effects of heart diseases, menopause and osteoporosis. You can consume soy in the form of delicious smoothies or milkshake.
5. Wheat germ
It is a great source of fibre, vegetable protein, zinc, vitamin E, folate, magnesium, antioxidants and healthy fats. It is known to trigger and maintain breast tenderness and helps in reducing PMS or menopause symptoms. It also curbs heart palpation, headache, insomnia, irritability, fatigue, etc. You can enjoy wheat germ in form of a smoothie, as a salad topping, along with oats or along with your favourite meats.
