Does Sugar Feed Cancer?

Most health professionals will agree that sugar feeds cancer, but there are some debates about the types of sugar that can be eaten if you are trying to prevent cancer or heal from cancer. Plenty of evidence has been found which suggest that all kinds of sugar feed cancer cells, so you should avoid it in all forms.

Why Does Sugar Promotes Cancer Growth?

When you eat sugar, it sets off a series of hormonal reactions within the body. This is a complex process that involves hormones including insulin as well as insulin-like growth factor. The blood sugar increases, which in turn has a direct impact on the cell growth response within the body. Because of this insulin response from sugar consumption, higher levels of sugar have a direct impact on your cancer risk. The best approach is to avoid sugar as much as possible, including soda, candy, desserts, or any other type of processed food that has added sugar in any form.

Is Sugar from Fruit Bad for You?

The best way to starve the cancer cells is by avoiding fruit all together, but it can be difficult for someone to stay away from sweet treats. If you choose to include fruit in your diet, then berries may be used in very small portions. Berries should be your fruit of choice because they are high in antioxidants, which work to reduce the free radical activity within the body. Even though the antioxidants are beneficial, it is still important to limit berry consumption to a few small handfuls each day if you are trying to heal from cancer. If you choose to eat berries, you might consider adding a few to flavor a salad, or putting a small handful of berries into a smoothie. Make sure to limit your berry consumption to once per day, or less. Don't make the mistake of assuming that you need to eat berries in order to gain the antioxidant benefits though, because there are plenty of vegetables that are full of antioxidants. The advantage to eating vegetables instead of fruit is that you are providing your body with the antioxidants and avoiding the sugar consumption at the same time.

Healthier Sugar Alternatives

It can be hard to avoid sugar if you have a sweet tooth, and you might be tempted to reach for a "healthier" sweetener. The problem is that these sweeteners will feed the cancer cells, so they should be eliminated completely if you have cancer. On the other hand, if your diet is focused on cancer prevention, then 15% of your diet can come from healthy sugar sources, such as fruit, honey, real maple syrup, or agave. Also, make sure that you are avoiding artificial sweeteners, which have been linked with a higher risk of cancer. Instead, a better option is stevia. You can find stevia in a powder or liquid form, and it is so sweet that only a small amount is needed to add sweetness to your food. In the same concentration, stevia is 200 times sweeter than sugar, which makes it a great substitute since it can be used in such small amounts.