12 Beneficial Fruits to Eat During and After Cancer Treatment

Introduction:

It’s no secret that your diet can affect your risk of developing cancer.

Similarly, filling up on healthy foods is important if you are being treated for or recovering from cancer.

Certain foods, including fruits, contain health-promoting compounds that may slow tumor growth and reduce certain side effects of treatment to help ease your road to recovery.

Here are the 12 best fruits to eat during and after cancer treatment.

Fruit choices for those with cancer 

When being treated for or recovering from cancer, your food choices are incredibly important.

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause many side effects, which can be either worsened or improved by what you eat and drink.

Common side effects of chemotherapy and radiation include:

• Fatigue

• anemia

• Nausea

• vomiting

• changes in appetite

• diarrhea

• Constipation

• painful swallowing

• dry mouth

• mouth sores

• impaired focus

• mood changes

Filling your diet with nutritious foods, including fruits, helps supply your body with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants throughout your cancer treatment.

However, it’s important to tailor your fruit choices to your specific symptoms.

For example, puréed fruits or fruit smoothies are a good option if you have difficulty swallowing, while fruits rich in fiber can help promote regularity if you are experiencing constipation.

You may also want to avoid certain fruits based on your symptoms. For example, citrus fruits may irritate mouth sores and worsen the feeling of dry mouth.

Lastly, whole fruits like apples, apricots, and pears are hard for some people with cancer to eat due to mouth sores, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, or nausea.

1. Blueberries

Blueberries may help fight cancer growth and improve chemo brain, a term used to describe impairments in memory and concentration due to cancer treatment.

2. Oranges

Oranges are a great source of vitamin C, which can help strengthen your immune function, reduce cancer cell growth, and increase iron absorption.

3. Bananas

Bananas contain pectin, which can reduce diarrhea and has been shown to protect against colon cancer in test-tube studies.

4. Grapefruit

Grapefruit is rich in antioxidants like lycopene, which has anticancer properties and may reduce some side effects of cancer treatments. It has also been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, which may ease chemo brain.

5. Apples

Apples are high in fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Hence, they can help promote regularity, reduce fluid retention, and support immune health.

6. Lemons

Lemons have been shown to inhibit the growth of cancer cells in test-tube studies. They also contain compounds that may boost your mood and reduce your stress levels.

7. Pomegranates

Pomegranates may help improve memory and reduce joint pain, both of which are common side effects of cancer treatment.

8. Mulberries

Mulberries are high in vitamin C and iron, which can help reduce the risk of anemia. They also contain lignins, which may increase immune function and possess anticancer properties.

9. Pears

Pears are rich in copper and contain anthocyanins, which have been shown to reduce cancer growth in test-tube studies.

10. Strawberries

Strawberries are rich in antioxidants and may help decrease cancer cell growth. Ripe berries are also soft, making them a good choice for those with mild swallowing difficulties.

11. Cherries

Cherries are rich in antioxidants and have been shown to decrease the growth of cancer cells in test-tube and animal studies.

12. Blackberries

Blackberries are rich in antioxidants that may help protect against cancer. Test-tube and animal studies show that they may also promote brain health, which could prevent certain side effects of cancer treatment.

Conclusion:

Eating certain fruits can significantly affect your health, especially during and after cancer treatment.

Many fruits provide antioxidants to help fight the growth of cancer cells and may even offer other health benefits to help ease certain side effects of treatment.

oEnjoying these healthy fruits in combination with a well-rounded diet can keep you feeling your best and get you started on the road to recovery.

Sources:

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fruits-for-cancer-patients