It’s no secret that certain foods contain powerful compounds that can fight many dreaded diseases. But research shows that specific foods may prevent and even control the growth of cancer cells in the body.

And that’s good news since incidence of the disease is growing by leaps and bounds, outstripping heart disease in many states as the nation’s No. 1 killer.

“The main mechanism behind these foods is their anti-inflammatory properties,” Dr. Dimitri Alden, a renowned New York City-based cancer surgeon said. “Inflammation causes cancer cells to grow and spread so by eating these foods you can prevent this process.”

Here are 10 of the most recognized functional foods that destroy cancer cells.

1. Grapes and red wine. Resveratrol, the powerful ingredient found in grapes and wine, is an extremely powerful antioxidant. It also inhibits cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) production, which is related to cancers and other types of inflammation. COX-2 inhibitors such as resveratrol have been shown to decrease the incidence of cancer along with pre-cancerous growths.
2. Sea vegetables. These delicious treats from the sea include nori, arame, kombu, and wakame. They contain a variety of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds that will prevent and reverse the damage done by foods and other factors that cause inflammation and oxidative stress — two known contributing factors to many types of cancers.
3. Turmeric. The miracle ingredient in the spice turmeric is curcumin found in most Indian dishes. Curcumin is an extremely powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory that reduces the metastases of tumors, and may destroy or prevent their growth in the first place. Alden says the spice inhibits the formation of new blood vessels in cancer cells—a crucial step in delaying development.
4. Green tea. Green tea owes its cancer-destroying abilities to a group of plant flavonoids known as catechins. One of these catechins — epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) — is the most powerful anti-inflammatory and also disrupts the development of cancer cells.
5. Cruciferous vegetables. We all know that veggies are healthy, but cruciferous vegetables like broccoli, arugula, cabbage, cauliflower, and kale contain chemicals called glucosinolates that create compounds that fight cancer. According to the Linus Pauling Institute, they work by eliminating carcinogens before they can damage DNA.
6. Garlic. According to researcher Dr. Carmia Borek, Ph.D., many populations have used garlic as a remedy for cancer for thousands of years. The National Cancer Institute says that garlic may reduce the risk of stomach, colon, esophageal, and breast cancer. The Iowa Women’s Study revealed that women who consumed the most garlic had a 50 percent lower risk of cancer of the colon. Borek recommends taking Aged Garlic Extract or AGE for the most consistent cancer fighting benefits.
7. Hemp oil. Hemp oil is known to speed up the healing process throughout the body and also raises melatonin levels. Melatonin has been shown to reduce or even completely stop the growth of certain types of cancers, so the extra production of it thanks to hemp oil is a great asset in your body’s fight against cancer. Hemp oil can be consumed through gel-caps or even directly out of the bottle
8. Mushrooms. These tasty fungi have anti-viral and anti-cancer effects which have been proven through numerous in-vitro and animal research studies. Mushrooms have been used for more than 5,000 years in ancient and traditional medicines due to their powerful effects on a number of diseases and conditions – including cancer.
9. Ginger. Certain compounds found in ginger make it a powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant to reduce oxidative stress that your body has to fight on a daily basis. Studies have shown that ginger can reduce cancerous tumors by as much as 56 percent and have also shown it to be a more effective remedy than traditional medical treatments like chemotherapy in the case of certain types of cancers.
10. Tomatoes. These red fruits and products made from them contain lycopene, a compound known for its ability to destroy cancer cells. Scientific studies show that lycopene helps prevent prostate, lung and stomach cancers. This powerful antioxidant offers a double whammy as it also reduces your risk of heart disease by lowering LDL “bad” cholesterol, and blood pressure.