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Foods That Fight Cancer?
Soy
Soybeans are a type of legume, or bean. Foods made from soybeans include tofu, soymilk, soybeans, soynuts, miso (soy paste), tempeh, soy burgers and soynut butter.
Scientists believe that several active ingredients in soy may have anti-cancer effects. These include: isoflavones (which have been studied most), saponins, phenolic acids, phytic acid, phytosterols, and protein kinase inhibitors.
Soy appears to contain some components that resemble very weak forms of the body’s natural hormones. As a result, soy foods can mimic the actions of hormones under certain conditions and counteract these hormonal actions at other times. Because of such complexities, most of the studies that have investigated soy’s role in cancer development have dealt with hormone-related cancers such as those of the breast and prostate.
Soy has been shown to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells in a variety of laboratory conditions. Soy has also been associated with the inhibition of breast cancer cells in some, but not all, laboratory experiments. Diets rich soy have been shown to alter the metabolism of breast tissue in animal subjects in ways that may translate into added anti-cancer protection.
Several human and laboratory studies suggest that consuming soy early in life (such as adolescence) may help protect against breast cancer later in life. Results are less encouraging when soy is consumed later in life.
As a general rule of thumb, soy seems to be a good food to include in your diet (along with other beans) as a source of protein and nutrients. But, there's limited evidence in U.S. populations supporting hopes that soy food might offer special protection against breast cancer.
Current research shows that it is safe to eat moderate amounts of soy foods (e.g., soymilk, tofu), up to two to three servings per day.As a precaution, women receiving anti-estrogen treatments such as tamoxifen, should minimize soy foods and avoid isoflavone supplements.
The Research
AICR has funded research on the following topics relating to soy and the cancer-fighting components it contains. Click each topic to search for relevant AICR-funded research studies performed to date.Read the full list of AICR’s Recommendations for Cancer Prevention.
