These 5 FRUITS Burn Fat and Kill Cancer ️ Dr. William Li.What we eat is essentially our chemotherapy three times a day. Meet Dr. William Li, a world-renowned Harvard-trained medical doctor, researcher, and president and founder of the Angiogenesis Foundation. His work has contributed to more than 40 FDA-approved therapeutics and devices for cancer, cardiovascular diseases, wound healing, and vision loss. Dr. Li is also a New York Times best-selling author of Eat to Beat Disease: The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself and recently published a new,In today’s summary of Dr. Li’s teachings, we focus on how food functions as medicine to protect us from diseases like cancer. In the final part, we’ll explore five potent fruits frequently mentioned by Dr. Li in his seminars. Stick around for all the details!
The Connection Between Diet and Cancer
Diet accounts for 30 to 35% of environmentally caused cancers. Studies have shown that our bodies are likely forming microscopic cancers all the time. For example, autopsies of individuals who died in car accidents revealed that approximately 40% of women aged 40-50 have microscopic cancers in their breasts. About 50% of men in their 50s and 60s have microscopic prostate cancers, and nearly 100% of us will have microscopic cancers in our thyroid by the time we reach our 70s.
Food is one of the most powerful health interventions we can control. As Dr. Li explains, “Food is the medicine we put into our bodies three times a day. If you put the right stuff in, your body will last longer.” His research shows that food and medicine can work together, with the right foods boosting the effectiveness of treatments.
Dr. Li’s Approach to Food as Medicine
In his book, Dr. Li identifies 150 foods supported by human clinical research that improve metabolism, decrease body fat, reduce waistlines, and improve blood sugar, insulin sensitivity, and healthy hormonal balance. While his recommendations span a wide range of natural foods, some fruits feature prominently in his seminars and interviews. Let’s explore these top five fruits and their health benefits.
1. Tomatoes
A study involving 79,000 men over 20 years found that those who consumed cooked tomatoes two to three times a week reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer by up to 50%. The key compound in tomatoes, lycopene, is anti-angiogenic (inhibits blood vessel growth to tumors) and also fights harmful fat by activating brown fat, which burns dangerous white fat. Regular tomato consumption improves metabolic profiles, lowers bad cholesterol, and shrinks waistlines.
Cooking Tip: Lycopene in raw tomatoes is less bioavailable due to its chemical structure. Heating tomatoes converts lycopene into a more absorbable form. Cooking tomatoes for 2 minutes increases lycopene bioavailability by 50%, and 30 minutes of simmering boosts it by 250%. Cooking tomatoes with olive oil further enhances absorption because lycopene is fat-soluble. Dr. Li recommends olive varieties high in polyphenols, such as Moraiolo (Italian), Koroneiki (Greek), and Picual (Spanish).
2. Pears
Pears are rich in chlorogenic acid, a bioactive compound that activates metabolism, burns harmful fat, and inhibits blood vessel growth to tumors. Additionally, they contain a lot of nutritional fiber—five to six grams per pear.. A study from MD Anderson showed that consuming this amount of fiber reduced the risk of tumor progression or death by 30% in melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Eating Tip: Pears can be eaten with the skin to maximize fiber intake. Wash thoroughly before consumption.
3. Kiwi
Packed with vitamins and antioxidants, kiwi protects DNA from damage. Eating one kiwi daily neutralizes 60% of DNA damage, while three kiwis a day promote DNA repair. A small study from Singapore found that consuming two kiwis daily increased beneficial gut bacteria (lactobacillus and bifidobacteria) by 35% and 177%, respectively, over four days. These bacteria produce anti-inflammatory short-chain fatty acids, improve gut health, and enhance the protective mucus layer of the gut.
Serving Suggestion: Slice kiwi into yogurt or enjoy it as a standalone snack.The skin is high in fiber and delicious.
4. Berries
Berries such as blueberries, blackberries, and strawberries are loaded with ellagic acid and anthocyanins, which are anti-angiogenic and boost immunity. Anthocyanins give berries their dark red and purple hues and offer metabolic benefits. Eating strawberries, for example, improves metabolism, reduces waistlines, and decreases body fat without raising blood sugar levels.
Pro Tip: Avoid adding sugar to berries; their natural sweetness is sufficient.
5. Pomegranate
Pomegranate juice is rich in ellagitannins, bioactives that improve gut health and support immune function. These compounds promote the growth of Akkermansia, a beneficial gut bacterium that enhances gut barrier integrity and supports immune responses. Pomegranate juice also has anti-angiogenic properties, cutting off blood supply to tumors.
Consumption Tip: Eat the seeds or juice them to reap maximum benefits. Other juices like Concord grape and cranberry can also encourage Akkermansia growth.
Dr. Li’s Final Remarks
Dr. Li’s overarching message is simple: “Eat fresh, whole foods, mostly plant-based, and cut down or cut out red meat and ultra-processed foods.” He emphasizes that there are no single “superfoods”; it’s the diversity of your diet that matters. By choosing a wide variety of healthy foods daily, you can boost your immunity and protect your body against diseases.
For more information, check out Dr. Li’s books and website, where you’ll find additional insights and resources to guide your health journey.
