Cancer-fighting foods every woman should eat!

It gets very little press, yet endometrial cancer is the most common of all gynecologic cancers. The great news? Adding a few tasty foods to your weekly meal plan can reduce your risk 59% or more! The keys:

1Cutting your odds 59% with garlic

Allium vegetables (including garlic, onions, leeks and shallots) add loads of flavor to home-cooked meals— and consuming as little as 1/2 cup of any of them daily can slash the odds of uterine cancer as much as 59%! That’s the word from Vanderbilt University researchers, who found that the natural sulfur compounds in allium veggies tamp down the formation of a cancer-fueling enzyme called HIF-1 alpha.

2Controlling cell growth with guavas

Eating just one guava a day can cut your risk of endometrial cancer 25%, say Mayo Clinic researchers. That’s because guavas are packed with lycopene, a nutrient that helps healthy uterine cells grow properly while blocking the growth of abnormal ones. Other great sources of lycopene include watermelon and tomatoes. Or consider taking a 15-mg. lycopene supplement daily. Important: Check with your doctor before starting any supplement.

3Strengthening

immunity with berries Berries are well-known as a brain-boosting superfood— and now research in the British Journal of Cancer proves eating 1/2 cup of them daily (fresh or frozen) also cuts the risk of endometrial cancer 34%! Berry compounds (proanthocyanidins) energize immune cells, helping them destroy suspicious growths faster and more effectively, says study coauthor Marta Rossi, PH.D.

4Rebalancing hormones with flax

Flax is nature’s top source of lignans, plant compounds that help your liver break down excess hormones and toxins before they can fuel the growth of endometrial cancers, a study in the journal Acta Oncologica shows. Having as little as 2 Tbs. of ground flax daily (try it sprinkled on yogurt or salads) could cut your risk 20%, says study coauthor Claudio Pelucchi, PH.D.