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Cancer Fighting Foods: Beans and Legumes

October 10, 2008 By Julie Lanford MPH, RD, CSO, LDN

Beans, Beans the musical fruit. The more you eat…. ok nevermind! Many of you might remember that pleasant rhyme from elementary school and it could be the reason you still don’t like beans today!

Whether beans give you unpleasant GI side effects or not, the fact is that they have many phytochemicals (cancer fighting plant components) that can keep your body healthy and strong. They are also great sources of protein and can take the place of meat at a meal.

Cancer Fighting Beans – The Facts!

There is nothing magical about any one food. It’s the combination of the right foods in your diet, along with physical activity and weight management that can control your cancer risk.

Beans (also known as legumes) include dry beans such as black beans, pinto beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, garbonzo beans and lentils along with many other varieties. Soybeans also fall into this category.

The phytochemicals in beans that scientists believe may play a role in cancer prevention include:

  • saponins (In lab studies, saponins have shown the ability to inhibit the reproduction of cancer cells and slow the growth of tumors)
  • protease inhibitors (In lab studies, protease inhibitors have slowed the division of cancer cells and helped
    to prevent tumors from releasing substances called proteases that
    destroy nearby cells)
  • phytic acid (In lab studies, phytic acid has shown the ability to significantly slow the progression of tumors)

These compounds are found naturally in plants and appear to protect our cells from damage that can lead to cancer.

Beans are also rich in fiber. The American Institute for Cancer Research found probable evidence that foods containing dietary fiber (like beans) can decrease your risk of developing colorectal cancer.

Cancer Fighting Recipe: Mexican 5-Bean Soup:

In light of this information, here is a great recipe that I use often. As a hint, you can get rid of some gas causing enzymes by rinsing beans before cooking them!

Mexican 5-Bean Soup

This recipe comes from Zonya’s “Lickety-Split Meals”. I highly recommend this cookbook and you can order it off her website: www.zonya.com. This will take 5-10 hours to cook in a slow cooker or crock pot.

  • 1 can red kidney beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 can garbanzo beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 can navy beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 can black beans (rinsed and drained)
  • 1 large onion (diced)
  • 1 can diced green chilies (undrained)
  • 10 oz. frozen cut green beans
  • 4 tsp chili powder
  • 1 1/2 tsp dried basil
  • 1/2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1/4 tsp Tabasco sauce
  • 3 cups water
  • 28 oz. low-sodium chicken broth
  • 12 oz. beer (or water – but the beer really adds a great flavor and smell!)
  1. Combine all in a slow cooker and stir. Cook on HIGH for 5-6 hours or LOW 9-10 hours. Sprinkle shredded cheddar or mozzarella cheese on it when served.
  2. ** NOTE: I have a smaller crock pot, so this recipe actually fills my crockpot 2 times. Yes… I need to purchase a larger crock pot!

 

Let’s have beans for every meal!
– Julie

10 Tips for Healthy Eating at Restaurants: Part I
Anti-Cancer Recipe: Garden Vegetable Soup

Filed Under: Cancer Diets, Cancer Prevention, Recipes

This post may contain affiliate links for products I recommend. This means if you click on a link and purchase a product, Cancer Services, Inc. will receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you. We use these proceeds to support cancer patient direct services and community education in the Triad area of North Carolina. For more information, view our disclosure policy.

Comments

  1. Barbara Johnson says

    June 10, 2015 at 10:04 am

    Please list other items you would include in a full dinner meal with this Mexican Bean Soup.
    If you wanted to add chicken or other meat to this soup, what steps would you do to accomplish this?

  2. Anietie Idung says

    November 2, 2016 at 3:50 pm

    What are the kind of fruit a cancer patient should avoid or eat more often

  3. Verna says

    February 24, 2017 at 8:23 pm

    Are these beans safe for breast cancer survivors .

    • Sandra says

      January 16, 2018 at 1:45 pm

      I have read in several places where chickpeas/garbanzo beans, as well as peanuts/peanut butter, are not good for cancer patients due to mold and toxins. I don’t have the links, but I can find them. I would suggest that the dietitian here do more research before publishing some of the things that are posted here. Everyone should do their own research about anything, rather than relying on websites and especially bloggers.

  4. Irene says

    April 1, 2017 at 10:20 am

    I like to receive more news on latest research on what kind of food to cure and avoid for patient cancer.

  5. Poly says

    October 1, 2017 at 8:11 am

    Hi,

    Are kidney and black beans suitable for HER2 positive type of cancer? What about Avocado?

    • Julie Lanford MPH, RD, LDN says

      October 24, 2017 at 3:26 pm

      There’s no evidence to say that those things would cause you any troubles. And they are both healthy foods, so I would say it’s fine. Always check with your doctor or medical team for meidical related questions though.

  6. mumu says

    February 21, 2018 at 8:26 am

    Its ok to consume green beans (juice) seed for pediatric cancer, esp leukemia?

  7. Sarah Macey says

    December 4, 2018 at 9:56 am

    Hi I’ve just found your site when looking at beans/lentils and eating to fight Cancer etc. Your 5 bean soup I noticed has the suggestion of using cheese? However, I am to understand that dairy is a No, No, if eating to avoid Cancer recurrence or to help stop it developing further? Wondered what your thoughts are? I’m HER2+ and am trying to change my eating plan for an improved overal outcome and longevity

    • Julie Lanford MPH, RD, CSO, LDN says

      December 13, 2018 at 5:03 pm

      There’s no strong evidence suggestion you need to avoid dairy. If you want to avoid it, that’s fine as long as you’re consuming a high quality diet in general. I call it a “choose your own adventure”. But if someone enjoys cheese or milk with their food, then it’s fine to include in moderation.

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