Fight Against Cancer

The food we serve is nature’s best gift – fresh, wholesome, and purely plant-based. We call it “power food” because we know it is capable of changing lives. Also, not to forget to mention that wholesome nutritious vegan food tastes amazing! It is nature’s best gift.

This is why Copper Branch is proud to be the official sponsor of Canadian Cancer Society’s Relay For Life and of Lymphoma Canada! We are happy to be the part of the fight against cancer, to take a strong action towards a positive change together, and to contribute to the well-being of the community we live in.

Plant-based diet (or shall we say “lifestyle”) is already full of benefits that boost immunity, reduce inflammation, as well as treat diabetes and obesity. Most importantly, this diet is the key when it comes to preventing and treating cancer. Making plants a centrepiece of your diet supplies ingredients high in cancer-fighting substances. So, what is it so special about plants that they protect and prevent from cancer?

Vegan women … had 34 percent lower rates of female-specific cancers such as breast, cervical, and ovarian cancer. And this was compared to a group of healthy omnivores who ate substantially less meat than the general population … as well as after controlling for non-dietary factors such as smoking, alcohol, and a family history of cancer.

The Huffington Post

First, plant food aids in cancer prevention because it naturally contains a lot of vitamins and minerals that strengthen your immune system. Plant ingredients are very nutrient dense as well. Especially fruits and vegetables – they are low in calories and, at the same time, packed with a plentiful of beneficial nutrients. It so much is easier to nourish your body with great stuff while on a plant-based diet without putting a lot of effort. Furthermore, plants are said to work well in treating cancer just as in preventing it. For instance, dietary fiber already has a strong link with the lower risk of cancer. However, research shows that it may also be able to “starve off” certain types of cancer. Fiber-rich food speeds up and improves the digestion. As a bonus, fiber helps weight management by keeping you full longer. Opting for whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits will boost your fiber intake.

Protective against cancer, plant-based diets are lower in fat and higher in fiber than meat-based diets. They are also full of foods that have phytochemicals, cancer-fighting substances.

Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine

Have you heard about phytochemicals? The word comes from Greek “phyto” – plant. They are simply chemical compounds naturally occurring in plants that can influence our complex body processes. Did you know that they prevent DNA damage, lower inflammation, reduce the damage of good cells and the growth of cancer cells? Here are some of the phytochemicals (from the big big list of existing phytochemicals) we have in our food:

Carotenoids in carrots, sweet potatoes, cooked tomatoes, dark leafy greens, broccoli;
Flavonoids in citrus fruits, onions, soy and soy products;
Indoles, Glucosinolates, and Isothiocyanates in all cruciferous veggies (think collard greens, broccoli, cabbage);
Isoflavones in soy and soy products (tofu, tempeh, soy milk);
Polyphenols in whole grains, green tea, berries, and citrus fruits;
All these foods are easily accessible and very common, but don’t let them fool you. All these foods are easily accessible and very common, but don’t let them fool you. All of them are very powerful – they are said to help against antioxidation, boost the immunity, fight carcinogens and even potentially inhibit tumour growth!

If you want to know more about specific ingredients and the types of cancer they prevent or treat, make sure to check out our “power foods” list. At Copper Branch, we take our job responsibly – we have already already incorporated these powerful nutritious ingredients into our savoury dishes that we are proud to serve you daily.

The research on plant-based diet and its cancer-fighting properties goes on, so who knows what are other amazing benefits will we discover soon? Think about building good habits now and treat yourself with a delicious plant-based meal right away. Fuel up on plant power, be your best, live fully, and enjoy every bite!