It’s stated that many vegetables contain “anti-cancer” or cancer fighting compounds. How exactly do these compounds work to prevent cancerous cells from forming?

Question

It’s stated that many vegetables contain “anti-cancer” or cancer fighting compounds. How exactly do these compounds work to prevent cancerous cells from forming?

In: Biology

Answer 1

First off, I want to mention that oxygen naturally reacts with compounds in the body and make them more reactive. As such, they can react with all the other cell components, such as DNA, and damage them. DNA damage leads to cancer.

Vegetables contain what are called ‘anti-oxidants’ which are compounds that quench and/or sequester the reactive oxygen compounds. They prevent cell damage and therefore, they can prevent cancer formation.