Anti-Carcinogenic Protection of Certain Foods
             Ever since we were small children, we have been bombarded with information on the importance of a well-balanced diet containing grains, vegetables, fruits, meats, dairy products, and some sweets. We were also taught, through the USDA's Food Guide Pyramid that was plastered on every wall imaginable, the daily recommendation needed for each are 6-11 servings of bread, cereal, rice and pasta; 3 to 5 servings of vegetables; 2 to 4 servings of fruit; 2 to 3 servings of meat, poultry, fish, beans, eggs, and nuts; and 2 to 3 servings of dairy products. However, how many people can actually say that they have always followed these guidelines to eating healthy and maintaining a diet low in fat? Well, if you do not, you could be putting yourself at risk of developing certain types of cancer. Scientists believe that a tendency to develop a certain type of cancer can be hereditary, but today many individuals develop cancer from carcinogens that are found in the foods we eat. Although there are certain foods we should avoid, many foods contain cancer-fighting properties that help to ward off cancer or diminish cancer cell growth.
             Carcinogens are cancer-causing agents that attack normal cells and may eventually cause one of them to become cancerous. (World Book Encyclopedia) For many years, scientists have known that alcohol is a carcinogen that many humans consume regularly. Try to drink alcohol in moderation because the more you drink you increase your risk of getting cancer of the mouth, pharynx, esophagus, liver, lungs, and colon. One study showed that "an increase in risk followed consumption of three alcoholic drinks per day, which rises to a 60 percent risk (over the general population) with six or more drinks per day." (Thomas)
             Try to cut back on fatty foods like meats and butter because they are saturated fats that harden at room temperature. High fat diets have been...