October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. According to the World Health Organisation, 1 in 8 women are diagnosed with breast cancer worldwide. In 2020, there were about 2.3 million new cases of breast cancer globally. While we are still looking for a cure and trying to understand the relationship between food and breast cancer, there is no harm in learning about new foods and how they may help. Today, we take a closer look at Swiss Chard.
Swiss chard is one of my favourite leafy vegetables. Chard is one of the most beautiful vegetables in a garden, it can be green, yellow, pink, orange and even red. Apart from the many colours it is quite versatile and can be incorporated into many meals. If you are not a fan of beet or spinach, chard would be a great replacement as it belongs to the same family.
What makes chard so special? The carotenoids.
Carotenoids are pigments that produce the bright yellow, red, and orange colours in plants, vegetables, and fruits. Carotenoids act as an antioxidant for humans and has been linked to a decrease in the occurrence of tumours, as these potent antioxidants may provide a defence against cell damage.
An eating plan rich in antioxidants may help reduce breast cancer risk and recurrence. It is suggested that women should consume two or more servings of vegetables per day to reduce their risk.
In a 2009 study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention, increased consumption of carotenoids was associated with “greater likelihood of breast cancer-free survival.”
Swiss chard grows locally and does not require much care, so grow it in your garden and let it care for you.
