Cancer is a complex condition with over 200 different types that can cause various symptoms, and doctors recommend regular preventive check-ups.
The most common forms are lung, colon, or prostate cancer in men, while in women, breast or cervical cancer is prevalent.
For the treatment of oncological diseases, nutrition guidelines recommend the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products, limiting the intake of red meat, as well as reducing the consumption of fats, sugar, alcohol, and salt.
The super-fruit that destroys cancer cells
Experts in onco-nutrition emphasize a particular fruit, considered exceptional due to its healing properties: kiwi.
Dr. William W. Li, a physician, researcher, and Harvard University graduate, has highlighted the benefits of kiwi on his official website. He is known for his work at the Angiogenesis Foundation, which has influenced research on over 70 diseases, including cancer, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity.
Although commonly referred to as kiwi, Dr. Li insists that the correct term is kiwifruit. It is, in fact, a large berry that originates from China, where it was collected from the wild for its medicinal properties, he explains.
Additionally, consuming kiwi brings significant benefits for the digestive system. Kiwi supports the gut microbiome, aids in glucose and lipid metabolism, and maintains the integrity of the intestinal wall, preventing leaky gut syndrome, Dr. Li states.
Protects DNA
Dr. Li emphasizes kiwi’s ability to repair DNA and prevent its damage, which could contribute to reducing the risk of serious diseases such as cancer. Kiwi contains high levels of vitamin C, chlorogenic acid, and quinic acid, all having strong antioxidant effects, he adds.
Researchers at the Rowett Research Institute in Scotland studied the impact of kiwi consumption on DNA damage. They recruited 14 healthy volunteers and provided them with one, two, or three kiwis per day. The results showed that, regardless of the amount, kiwi consumption reduced DNA damage by approximately 60%, the study explains.
Furthermore, Dr. Li claims that individuals who consumed three fruits a day recorded a 66% increase in DNA repair activity. Thus, kiwi not only helps the body neutralize free radicals but also contributes to the repair of already damaged DNA.
Multiple medical benefits
Research from the National Library of Medicine in the USA highlights the impressive benefits of kiwi. One study notes: Antioxidant micronutrients may explain the beneficial effects of fruits on human health.
Directly demonstrating that fruits reduce oxidative DNA damage would support this hypothesis. Kiwi was taken as an example due to its antioxidant properties, and its effectiveness has been tested both in vitro and ex vivo, researchers explain.
Warning signs for oncological diseases
- Unexplained and persistent fatigue, associated with leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, breast, or prostate cancer.
- Persistent and unexplained pain, with the location potentially suggesting the type of cancer (for example, chest pain for lung cancer).
- Appearance of bruises for no apparent reason, possibly a sign of leukemia, lymphoma, or myeloma.
- Intense night sweats, which may indicate leukemia, lymphoma, kidney cancer, or advanced thyroid cancer.
- Unexplained weight loss, associated with various types of cancer, including lung, gastrointestinal, pancreatic, and liver cancer.
