New ways to prevent breast cancer!

G reat news from Yale University: Cutting back on dietary starch (carbs made of simple sugars but no fiber) will slash your breast cancer risk 31%! That’s because starchy fare (like white rice and white bread) is broken down into simple sugars during digestion, then speedily enters the bloodstream where it can fuel the growth of abnormal breast cells. Here’s how to protect yourself:

● Fill up on fiber!

A daily 10-gram dose of psyllium, the soluble fiber in Metamucil and Benefiber, could lower your blood sugar and your breast cancer risk 18%, according to a study in Nutrition Journal. Coauthor Amin Hamed, PH.D., explains that psyllium binds to starches in the digestive tract, stopping them from being digested and absorbed.

● Crunch on peanuts!

Nutrients in red-skinned peanuts cause the small intestine to digest and absorb starches at a slower, steadier, healthier pace. British research reveals that simply snacking on one-third of a cup (a small handful) of red-skinned peanuts can cut your blood-sugar level 34% for four hours straight, dramatically reducing the chances of fueling abnormal cells.

● Have wine with dinner!

Enjoy a four-ounce glass of red or white wine with your pasta. Yale researchers explain that wine’s blend of alcohol and plant compounds called phenolics switch on liver enzymes that quickly burn sugar for energy, so risky bloodsugar spikes don’t occur. ● Slow digestion with crudités Snack on a cup or two of raw carrot sticks, bell pepper slices or snap peas, and watch your blood sugar drop as much as 25%, researchers report in the International Journal of Preventive Medicine. Study coauthor Leila Darvishi, PH.D., explains phytonutrients in raw vegetables strengthen your digestive tract, so that starches are absorbed slowly.