Quick Read:
- Breast cancer superfoods include: Algae, flaxseeds, watercress, mushrooms, matcha tea, olive oil, cruciferous vegetables, walnuts, blueberries, and sweet potatoes. These are some of the best foods you can eat for breast cancer healing.
- What you put in your body can either starve or fuel the cancer, so think of every bite as a microinvestment in your healing.
In our 7 Essentials System®, “Let Food Be Your Medicine” is the first essential, since every bite is a micro-investment in your healing. What you put into your body can either starve or feed cancer. Specific breast cancer healing superfoods and teas have been proven to:
- Kill cancer cells
- Enhance the effectiveness of traditional treatments (such as chemotherapy)
- Improve mental health
- Support the restoration of your immune system
- Reduce inflammation
- Balance hormones
- Protecting DNA
- Boost your immune system
These 10 superfoods stand out for their remarkable ability to support breast cancer healing. They aren’t trendy fads; they are backed by centuries of use and modern science. As always, remember that your healing journey is unique to you. Bring these into your diet in a way that works best for your body, with the guidance of your medical team and coach.
Top 10 Breast Cancer Healing Superfoods
1. Algae: Seaweed, Chlorella, Spirulina & Astaxanthin
The ocean holds treasures for healing.
- Seaweeds provide iodine, an essential mineral for thyroid function and breast health. In fact, low iodine levels are strongly linked to thyroid imbalances, which in turn affect estrogen metabolism, a key factor in breast cancer.
- Chlorella is a potent detoxer and gut microbiome healer.
- Spirulina floods your body with 40 essential vitamins and minerals for optimal energy, brain health, and healing.
- Astaxanthin is one of the most potent antioxidants known to science. It helps protect DNA from oxidative stress and supports the immune system’s ability to identify and eliminate abnormal cells.
Together, algae form a nutritional “shield” that keeps your cells strong and your detox pathways open. Reel it in and eat often!
2. Flaxseeds
Small but mighty, flaxseeds are one of the richest sources of lignans: phytoestrogens that can help balance estrogen in the body. Rather than raising estrogen levels, lignans act like modulators, ensuring estrogen is metabolized down safer pathways. Research indicates that regular flaxseed consumption can slow tumor growth, reduce the risk of recurrence, and even enhance the effectiveness of treatments such as tamoxifen.
Ground flaxseeds are easiest to absorb. We recommend 5 tsp a day. You can easily sprinkle them into smoothies, salads, or avocado toast to get your abundance of hormone-balancing power and fiber for gut health. For more details about flaxseeds and your healing, please read this blog post.
3. Watercress
Watercress has been rated the HEALTHIEST vegetable on the planet! Yep, this background leafy green is one of nature’s most underappreciated superfoods. It can selectively kill cancer cells and not healthy ones while potentially starving tumors and “turning cancer off.”
Studies suggest watercress can increase blood levels of protective antioxidants and help block cancer cells from invading new tissues. It’s also bursting with vitamin C, vitamin K, and carotenoids for immune and bone health. Toss a handful into your salad, blend it into a green juice, or use it to top soups for a peppery, healing boost. We also love this Asian Sauteed Watercress recipe that Coach De’Ann made!
4. Mushrooms
For centuries, mushrooms have been revered in Traditional Chinese Medicine as immune regulators. Modern science confirms this: mushrooms such as shiitake, maitake, and reishi contain beta-glucans, compounds that activate natural killer (NK) cells, T-cells, and other immune defenders. These fungi also help modulate inflammation and can improve gut microbiome balance, while energizing and enhancing quality of life during and after treatment.
Whether eaten raw, sautéed, powdered in teas, or taken in supplement form, mushrooms deserve a starring role in your healing kitchen. To learn more and for a few of our favorite recipes, please pop over to this blog post.
5. Matcha Tea
Everyone talks about green tea for its healing properties, but did you know that matcha provides up to 137 times more EGCG? Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a unique plant compound called catechin. It is a potent cancer fighter that works by blocking tumor blood supply, encouraging cancer cells to self-destruct (apoptosis), and reducing inflammation.
Matcha also contains L-theanine, an amino acid that calms the mind while providing steady, sustained energy. Swap out your morning coffee for a ceremonial-grade matcha (Dr. V only uses this brand) and gift your body a daily infusion of protective antioxidants. For more details on matcha, check out this blog post.
6. Olive Oil
The Mediterranean diet is famous for reducing cancer risk, and extra virgin olive oil is at its heart. There are centuries of evidence to support this, and modern studies, such as this one, have found that women who added four tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil to their healthy diet had a 68% lower risk of breast cancer compared to the low-fat diet group.
This is because olive oil is rich in polyphenols—natural plant compounds with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. One in particular, oleocanthal, has been shown to disrupt the function of cancer cells, leading to their death without harming healthy cells.
Choosing high-quality extra-virgin olive oil (cold-pressed and organic, when possible) ensures you get the full benefits. Uncover all of the benefits, our recommended brands, and favorite recipes via this blog post.
7. Cruciferous Vegetables
Cruciferous vegetables are breast cancer superstars and stem cell killers. They contain indole-3-carbinol (I3C) and sulforaphane, compounds that support detoxification and promote healthy estrogen metabolism. These nutrients encourage your body to move estrogen down pathways that reduce the risk of tumor growth.
Broccoli sprouts, in particular, are packed with sulforaphane—up to 100 times more than mature broccoli. This is why we included Broccoli Seed Extract in our 7 Essentials System® Foundational Kit of our top 10 supplements.
To learn more about cruciferous veggies, why they are cancer’s “on and off switches,” and how they are nature’s detoxers, please review this blog post in detail.
8. Walnuts
Nuts and seeds are superfoods packed with healthy fats, minerals, and antioxidants (learn more here)—but walnuts deserve special recognition. A study found that eating just two ounces of walnuts daily for two weeks altered the expression of 456 tumor-related genes, shifting them toward suppression.
Walnuts also contain omega-3 fatty acids, which reduce inflammation and support brain health. Add a small handful to your trail mix, salads, or our non-dairy coconut banana ice cream to harness their gene-modifying, tumor-suppressing magic!
9. Blueberries
Nature’s candy packs an incredible antioxidant punch. Blueberries are rich in anthocyanins, which give them their deep blue color and have been shown to slow the growth of cancer cells and inhibit angiogenesis (the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors).
They also support brain health, memory, and blood sugar regulation, all critical areas of wellness during healing and throughout your life. For the sweet and healing treat, try some of our favorite blueberry desserts (or any time!) recipes:
10. Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are a comforting way to nourish your body with anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, immune-boosting, and cognitive support.
Orange sweet potatoes: These are beta-carotene powerhouses. They strengthen your immune system, support skin, eyes, and lung health, and are especially important in immune resilience during healing.
Purple sweet potatoes: The anthocyanin pigment not only gives the potatoes their striking color but also harbors strong antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. It’s especially beneficial for breast cancer conquerors since it helps slow breast cancer cell growth, reduce inflammation, and even boost cognitive health.
Before making your sweet potato creations, review this blog post to discover how to cook them for maximum benefits.
Let Food Be Your Medicine With Breast Cancer Healing Superfoods
By intentionally incorporating these 10 superfoods into your meals, you create an environment where cancer struggles to survive, and your body is supported at every level: cellular, hormonal, and emotional.
These foods aren’t quick fixes; they are long-term allies. Consistency is key, and every small choice adds up. Whether it’s sprinkling flaxseed on your breakfast, sipping matcha throughout the day, or drizzling olive oil over meals, these daily habits can profoundly impact your healing journey.
For a deeper dive into healing foods and practical ways to live out our 7 Essentials System®, start our online course today: Conquering Breast Cancer Together. You will learn how to harmoniously integrate natural medicine with conventional care to create the most effective plan for you.
You got this; we’ve got you.