What to eat to keep out oral cancer of your mouth? Diet is one of the best allies for the prevention of oral cancer.
The diet for oral cancer prevention puts special emphasis on healthy habits and bet on natural and seasonal foods (vegetables, fruits, and fish).
Fruits and vegetables are key to a healthy and balanced diet, a source of essential nutrients (antioxidants, vitamins and minerals) and an excellent protector against oral tumors. Something as simple as eating 5 pieces of fruit and vegetables a day helps prevent the onset of this type of cancer. Food alone does not prevent cancer but does favor a reduction in the risk of developing it.
What is oral cancer?
Oral cancer primarily affects the tongue and, contrary to popular belief, it may appear even before the age of 40. The consumption of tobacco, alcohol, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection, neglect of diet and oral hygiene are the main risk factors that increase the chances of developing oral cancer.
Early diagnosis is vital to win the battle for this type of tumor, hence the importance of taking care of our mouth with correct hygiene and eating habits. It should be noted that oral cancer is a problem that affects young people and women more.
Foods to prevent oral cancer
There are foods that, because of their properties, and as different studies have shown, act as protectors of the body to reduce the chances of suffering cancer. To adopt a diet for preventing mouth cancer the most beneficial foods are:
- Red fruits (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries, blackberries …).
- Citrus fruits (oranges, mandarins, lemons …).
- Vegetables rich in carotenoids.
- Virgin olive oil.
- Bluefish (rich in omega 3 fatty acids).
- Flaxseeds.
- Foods rich in vitamins A, C and E.
- Foods rich in flavonoids (fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, cereals …).
- Green tea.
For its part, these are the foods to avoid:
- Red meat and sausages.
- Very hot food.
- Fried or roasted food directly to charcoal or firewood.
- Very spicy condiments, like chili.
- The total fat in the diet should not exceed 30% of the daily energy intake. Saturated fats (of animal origin) should not exceed 10% of the total.
Recommendations to prevent oral cancer
- To go regularly to the dentist – every six months – because it is a pathology that can be detected and treated relatively easily in its early stages, but it can become deadly when it is not intervened in time.
- Extremely oral hygiene.
- Use lip balm.
- Carry out self-explorations to observe the possible presence of wounds in the shape of white or red badges – or ulcers that, if do not improve in a short space of time, should motivate a specialist consultation.