Glossary: foods that fight cancer!

The American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) gives a lot of information about foods that fight cancer. They speak about individual ingredients, they provide an overview of research done on the ingredients, they provide nice recipes etc. They also give a very nice glossary of terms and definitions connected to cancer fighting foods.

Term	Definition
Alpha-carotene	One of a group of carotenoids found in colorful fruits and vegetables that can be made into vitamin A by the body.
Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA)	A polyunsaturated fatty acid required by the body that is found in many vegetable oils.
Anthocyanin	One of a class of flavonoid pigments found in many blue, red or purple plants.
Antioxidant	A substance that protects cells from the damage caused by free radicals.
Apoptosis	Programmed cell death.
Benign adenoma	A non-cancerous tumor that arises from tissues covering the body’s organs.
Benzoic acid	A carboxylic acid found in many berries that can be used as a preservative.
Beta-carotene	One of a group of red, orange and yellow pigments called carotenoids.
Caffeine	A substance found in the leaves and beans of the coffee tree, in tea, yerba mate, guarana berries, and in small amounts in cocoa. It is added to some soft drinks, foods, and medicines. Caffeine increases brain activity, alertness, attention, and energy. It may also increase blood pressure, heart rate, breathing rate, and the loss of water from the body in urine.
Case-control study	In cancer research, a study that compares a group of people with cancer to a similar group without cancer. Also called a retrospective study.
Carotenoid	A type of antioxidant and a provitamin. It is a yellow, red, or orange substance found mostly in plants.
Catechin	One of a class of compounds called phenols; a potent antioxidant.
Ellagic acid	One of a class of compounds called phenols; found in many berries.
Ellagitannin	A polyphenol compound formed when ellagic acid links with a sugar.
Enzyme	A protein that increases the rate of chemical reactions.
Epicatechin	One of a class of compounds called phenols; structurally similar to catechin.
Epidemiology	The study of disease and risk among human populations.
Flavonol	One of class of compounds called flavonoids found in many plant foods.
Folate	An essential B vitamin in the form naturally present in foods.
Folic acid	An essential B vitamin in the form found in supplements and fortified foods.
Gamma-tocopherol	One of a series of compounds that exhibits vitamin E-like behavior.
Glucosinolate	Organic compounds containing sulfur and nitrogen; found in cruciferous vegetables.
Hydroxycinnamic acid	One of a class of polyphenol acids found in many fruits.
Inflammation	The body’s reaction (swelling, heat) to harmful stimuli.
Indole	Compound arising from glucosinolate found in cruciferous vegetables.
Inositol	B vitamin required by the body; found in grains and other plant foods.
Isothiocyanate	Chemical group containing sulfur, also known as mustard oils.
Kaempferol	Member of the group of compounds called flavonols; found in many plant foods.
Lignan	Member of the group of compounds called polyphenols with mild estrogen-like effects.
Lutein	A carotenoid found in dark green leafy vegetables and orange-colored fruits and vegetables.
Perillyl alcohol (POH)	A monoterpene found in cherries, lavendar, orange peels and other plants. POH inhibits growth of cancer cells and causes cell death in lab studies.
Phytoestrogen	A plant substance that exhibits mild estrogen-like effects.
Polyp	Abnormal growths of tissue that may or may not develop into cancer.
Polyphenol	Member of a large class of plant compounds much studied for their health effects.
Proanthocyanidin	Long-chained member of class of compounds called flavonols; found in many fruits.
Protease inhibitor	A compound that interferes with the ability of certain enzymes to break down proteins.
Pterostilbene	A polyphenol compound that shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.
Quercetin	Member of a class of compounds called flavonoids found in tea, apples and many plant foods.
Resveratrol	Member of a class of compounds called phenols; found in the skins of grapes and in many other plants, fruits, and seeds.
Saponin	A long-chained compound found in soybeans and many other plants.
Sterols	A class of organic molecules related to lipids; found in many plants.
Ursolic acid	Member of a class of compounds called polyphenols; found primarily in cranberries’ skins.
Zeaxanthin	A carotenoid found in dark green leafy vegetables and orange-colored fruits and vegetables.

Source: http://www.aicr.org/foods-that-fight-cancer/glossary.html

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