We all know how important it is to eat a healthy diet. But, with all the processed foods widely available in the supermarket aisles, people don’t necessarily eat the right amounts of fresh foods they truly need.

Having myself a family background of high blood pressure and high cholesterol, I realized that I had the power to change the trend my genes have and do something about it to change it. After reading the wonderful Dr. Fuhrman's books, Eat to Live and The End of Dieting, I realized that we can all prevent and revert diseases like diabetes, high blood pressure, and even cancer.

Many studies have shown that eating fresh fruit, vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts reduces the risk of cancer. Here is a list of proven anti-cancer foods:

Cruciferous Veggies. Cabbage and members of its family including cauliflower, broccoli, and brussels sprouts. They have it all: vitamins, minerals, fiber, and phytochemicals. Researchers have found that components in these veggies can protect you from the free radicals that can damage your cells' DNA. These vegetables powerfully prevent breast cancer.

Berries. Strawberries, blueberries, raspberries. Naturally sweet and juicy, berries contain powerful antioxidants, that protect our cells from free radicals.

Tomatoes. Especially cooked, are a great source of lycopene, a phytochemical that can help guard the DNA in our cells from damage that can lead to cancer.

Leafy Green Vegetables. Spinach, kale, collards, bok choy. They are full of vitamins, minerals, and disease-fighting phytochemicals. Great source of beta-carotene.

Photos from Everyday Health.

Editorial References:

http://blogs.webmd.com/health-ehome/2009/06/8-great-family-friendly-foods-that-help-fight-cancer.html

http://www.drfuhrman.com/library/cancer_alert_go_cruciferous.aspx

http://www.webmd.com/food-recipes/features/super-veggies-cruciferous-vegetables