Meet Dr. William Li, a world-renowned Harvard-educated physician, researcher, and founding president of the Angiogenesis Foundation. His work has led to more than 40 FDA-approved therapies and devices for cancer, cardiovascular disease, wound healing, and vision loss.
He is also a New York Times bestselling author of “Eat Well to Heal” and recently published a new book, “Eat to Beat Diet: Burn Fat, Heal Your Metabolism, and Live Longer,” not yet translated into French.
Food as Medicine:
According to Dr. William Li, what we eat acts as chemotherapy, three times a day. His research reveals that our diet is responsible for 30 to 35 percent of environmentally caused cancers. It is also proven that we are likely constantly developing microscopic cancers in our bodies. Autopsy studies show that nearly 40 percent of women between the ages of 40 and 50 have microscopic breast cancer, 50 percent of men between the ages of 50 and 60 have microscopic prostate cancer, and almost 100 percent of us will develop microscopic thyroid cancer by the time we reach our sixties.
Food is therefore one of the most powerful healthcare interventions we can make for ourselves. Consuming it three times a day significantly influences our health. By incorporating a variety of healthy foods, we can significantly improve our metabolism, reduce body fat, slim our waistline, and improve metabolic parameters such as blood sugar and insulin sensitivity.
The five fruits mentioned by Dr. William Li:
Tomatoes.
A study of 79,000 men over 20 years showed that those who ate cooked tomatoes two to three times a week reduced their risk of developing prostate cancer by 50%. Lycopene, a bioactive substance found in tomatoes, helps burn fat by activating a beneficial type of fat called brown fat, and lowers bad cholesterol while improving overall metabolism.
To maximize lycopene absorption, it is advisable to cook the tomatoes. Heating tomatoes for 30 minutes in olive oil (preferably varieties such as Umbria, Coratina, or Picholine olive oil) allows for better absorption of lycopene in the body.
Pears
contain chlorogenic acid, a bioactive substance that speeds up metabolism and helps burn fat. In addition, pears are rich in dietary fiber, which can improve responses to medical treatments and reduce the risk of tumor progression. Regular consumption of pears may even decrease the risk of progression or death by 30% in melanoma patients undergoing immunotherapy.
Kiwifruit
is rich in vitamins and antioxidants. Studies show that daily kiwifruit consumption can reduce DNA damage by 60%. Eating three kiwifruit a day also strengthens the immune system by improving the population of beneficial bacteria in the gut.
A study conducted in Singapore showed that female volunteers consuming two kiwis a day for four days saw a 35% increase in lactobacilli and a 177% increase in bifidobacteria in their stools, two bacteria beneficial for intestinal health.
Berries:
Berries such as strawberries, blueberries, and blackberries are rich in ellagic acid and anthocyanins, natural compounds that boost the immune system and offer anti-angiogenic properties. Regularly consuming berries helps improve metabolic profile without raising blood sugar levels, thus contradicting the idea that all fruits are too sweet for a healthy diet.
Research has shown that strawberries, in particular, can improve metabolism, reduce body weight, and decrease body fat without increasing blood glucose levels.
Pomegranate juice
is rich in ellagitannins, compounds that help stimulate the growth of beneficial gut bacteria like Akkermansia, which play a key role in gut protection. Pomegranate juice has also been shown to starve tumors by cutting off their blood supply.
In addition, consuming pomegranate juice strengthens the immune system by increasing the population of beneficial bacteria essential for good gut health.
In conclusion
, for a healthier life, prioritize fresh, seasonal foods, primarily plant-based, and reduce or eliminate red meat and ultra-processed foods. There is no single superfood: it is the diversity and quality of the foods we consume daily that strengthen our immunity and improve our overall health.
