Vegetables are a great source of essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and fiber. They also contain natural compounds that can help prevent cancer.

However, not all vegetables are created equal, and some are more effective than others when it comes to fighting cancer.

In this article, we will discuss two simple moves that can help boost the anticancer properties of vegetables and maximize their health benefits.

Move #1: Mix Cruciferous Vegetables with Mustard Seeds

Cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and cabbage are known for their powerful anticancer properties.

They contain glucosinolates, which are natural compounds that can help prevent cancer by inhibiting the growth of cancer cells and promoting detoxification.

However, cooking cruciferous vegetables can reduce their glucosinolate content by up to 80%. To enhance their health benefits, you can pair them with mustard seeds.

Mustard seeds contain an enzyme called myrosinase, which can activate the glucosinolates in cruciferous vegetables.

When myrosinase comes into contact with glucosinolates, it creates a compound called sulforaphane, which has powerful anticancer properties.

To boost the anticancer properties of cruciferous vegetables, simply add some crushed mustard seeds to your cooking or sprinkle them over your salads.

Move #2: Cook Tomatoes with Olive Oil

Tomatoes are another great source of cancer-fighting compounds, particularly lycopene. Lycopene is an antioxidant that can help prevent DNA damage and reduce the risk of cancer.

However, lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, which means it needs to be consumed with some fat to be effectively absorbed by the body.

To enhance the absorption of lycopene, you can cook tomatoes with olive oil. Olive oil is a healthy source of monounsaturated fat that can help increase the absorption of lycopene and other fat-soluble compounds in tomatoes.

To cook tomatoes with olive oil, simply sauté them in a pan with some olive oil or roast them with a drizzle of olive oil.

Conclusion

By incorporating these two simple moves into your cooking, you can boost the anticancer properties of your vegetables and maximize their health benefits.

Pair cruciferous vegetables with mustard seeds to activate their glucosinolates and cook tomatoes with olive oil to enhance the absorption of lycopene.