The plant kingdom is truly an ally and generous and giving friend. A recent report by the World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) – noted in last month's newsletter in relation to its findings of the link between processed meats and colorectal cancer – recommends eating mostly plant-derived foods.

Just as I have always been saying (no not nagging!), 7–8 different coloured vegetables on our dinner plates and 3– 4 pieces of fruit a day, that's the way to go.

The WCRF report included a table showing the strength of evidence for likely protection for specific types of foods (summarized below).

Foods containing lycopene and selenium are linked with a decrease risk for prostate cancer. Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene and the bioavailability of lycopene is increased bycooking, pureeing, and adding oil to your tomatoes.

Likewise, garlic's anti-colorectal cancer properties are enhanced by peeling and chopping which releases allinase the active, protective enzyme found in garlic bulbs. Foods with evidence for a link to a decrease risk of cancer

• Fruit: Mouth, throat, oesophagus, lung, stomach
• Non-starchy vegetables: Mouth, throat,oesophagus, stomach
• Foods containing dietary fibre (i.e. fruits, vegetables, legumes): Bowel
• Garlic: Bowel
• Foods containing lycopene and selenium: Prostate