Chronic inflammation has increasingly been linked to many of today’s most serious health concerns, including accelerated aging and a higher risk of cancer. While genetics and lifestyle play a role, doctors agree that what you put on your plate every day can have a powerful impact on how your body defends itself at the cellular level. Certain foods contain natural compounds that calm inflammation, strengthen the immune system, and help protect healthy cells from damage that can accumulate over time. According to experts like Dr. William Li, a physician and researcher, incorporating the right anti-inflammatory foods into your routine may not only support long-term wellness, but also help lower cancer risk and promote healthier aging from the inside out.
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1. Brassica Vegetables: Broccoli, Kale, and Brussels Sprouts
According to Dr. Li, classic vegetables like broccoli, Brussels sprouts, kale, and arugula are among the most powerful cancer-fighting foods you can eat. These cruciferous veggies contain compounds called isothiocyanates and sulforaphanes, which naturally “cut off the blood supply feeding a cancer” while also lowering inflammation in the body.
Sulforaphanes work by neutralizing harmful toxins and activating protective enzymes in your cells — a process that helps prevent DNA damage that can lead to cancer. Regularly eating brassica vegetables has been linked in studies to a lower risk of cancers such as breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer.
2. Beans and Legumes
Dr. Li highlights beans and legumes — including white beans, black beans, pinto beans, chickpeas, soybeans, and edamame — as nutritional powerhouses. They are rich in dietary fiber, which plays a key role in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and reducing inflammation throughout the body.
Fiber also helps remove toxins and excess hormones that can contribute to cancer risk, while feeding beneficial gut bacteria that support immune function. Research has shown that diets high in legumes are associated with a reduced risk of colorectal and other digestive system cancers.
3. Olive Oil
One of the healthiest fats you can eat, extra virgin olive oil is packed with polyphenols such as hydroxytyrosol and oleocanthal — compounds Dr. Li says “lower inflammation and have cancer-starving properties as well.”
Oleocanthal, in particular, has been found to induce cancer cell death in laboratory studies while leaving healthy cells untouched. Using olive oil as your main source of fat in cooking and salad dressings may also help protect against heart disease and promote brain health — all while keeping inflammation in check.
4. Omega-3-Rich Seafood
For a long time, omega-3 fatty acids were mainly associated with fatty fish like salmon or sardines. But Dr. Li points out that even leaner seafood, such as cod, halibut, shrimp, mussels, and clams, contains these beneficial fats.
“Omega-3 fatty acids cut off the blood supply to cancers,” Dr. Li explains, noting that they are anti-angiogenic (meaning they block the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumor growth) and also lower systemic inflammation. Incorporating a variety of seafood into your weekly meals can help balance your omega-3 to omega-6 ratio — a key factor in reducing chronic inflammation and supporting overall health.
5. Green Tea
Green tea has been praised as a healthy beverage for decades now. It turns out that it may also support cancer prevention due to its rich concentration of antioxidants called catechins and polyphenols, specifically EGCG in green tea. These antioxidants help to neutralize free radicals, which can damage cells and may lead to cancer over time. What’s even better is that tea is an anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting beverage that could slow the growth of abnormal cells.
"Tea is full of antioxidants, and not all flavors are created equally. Green and black tea are known to contain the most antioxidant power (green contains larger amounts at almost 440 mg of antioxidants). These healthy substances keep cells alive and damage-free, as well as promote healthier biological systems," Cicak says.
