Written By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | Updated: July 6, 2016, 11:14 AM
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Many Indian spices are known to lower your risk of cancer. The antioxidant activity in the spices exerts a chemoprotective effect. Here is a list of 7 Indian spices you must add in your diet to reap the benefits.
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Garlic: Including garlic in your diet can lower the incidence of breast cancer, colon cancer, skin cancer, uterine cancer, oesophageal cancer and lung cancer. It also serves as an antioxidant and also plays a key role to suppress the formation of nitrosamine, which is the common mechanism that inhibits cancer growth [1].
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Ginger: This spice contains gingerols and zingerone, which also plays a key role in prevention and treatment of cancer [1]. The anti-inflammatory compounds also reduce inflammation and lowers your risk of cancer, including prostate cancer.
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Saffron: In addition to imparting a unique colour to the food, saffron can also inhibit chemically induced skin carcinogenesis. The presence of volatile compounds and antioxidants also suppresses cell growth of cancerous cells and aids in the treatment of cancer [1].
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Cardamom: Studies [1] have shown that cardamom has powerful antioxidant properties but also inhibits carcinogenesis due to its anti-inflammatory, anti-proliferative and proapoptotic activities. It also enhances the activity of detoxifying enzymes and decreases lipid peroxidation.
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Cinnamon: The presence of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase enzyme aids in the protection against oxidative damage from free radicals. It is revealed that cinnamon extracts also suppresses the growth of Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria, which is a known risk factor for various types of cancer namely pancreatic cancer, gastric cancer and lymphoma of the gastric mucosa [1].
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Clove: Packed with bioactive compounds like tannins, terpenoids and eugenol, use of cloves in Indian cuisine aids in cancer prevention. It not only helps in cellular detoxification processes but also improves the ability of cells to deal with harmful compounds that can lead to cancer [1].
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Cumin: Cumin seeds are loaded with thymoquinone, a compound known to exhibit antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and chemoprotective propertives. The compound suppresses tumor cell growth of ovarian carcinoma, osteosracoma and colorectal carcinoma [1].
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