Eat to Beat Disease Book Summary - Eat to Beat Disease Book explained in key points
Listen to the Intro
00:00

Eat to Beat Disease summary

The New Science of How Your Body Can Heal Itself

4.5 (386 ratings)
19 mins

Brief summary

Eat to Beat Disease by William W. Li offers practical insight and research-based strategies for harnessing the power of nutrition to prevent and fight disease, emphasizing a personalized approach to health and wellness.

Table of Contents

    Eat to Beat Disease
    Summary of 6 key ideas

    Audio & text in the Blinkist app
    Key idea 1 of 6

    Soy foods and broccoli can help boost your body’s cancer-fighting defense system.

    It’s a frightening but true fact that you are developing cancer right now as you read this. Indeed, microscopic tumors start growing when your body’s cells divide incorrectly. And shockingly, your body makes around ten thousand of these mistakes every day. The result? Cancer formation isn’t just common; it’s inevitable.

    Fortunately, your body has a natural defense system that stops these cancers from ever becoming a problem. It’s called angiogenesis.

    Angiogenesis is the process by which your body grows and maintains blood vessels. Under normal circumstances, your blood vessels support you by carrying nutrients and oxygen to your body’s organs. However, if blood vessels grow irregularly, then they’re just as likely to deliver this nourishment to your microscopic cancers instead, providing them with the fuel they need to grow, spread and eventually invade your organs.

    Angiogenesis stops this from happening by controlling where and when blood vessels grow, and thus stops tumors from becoming dangerous. And encouragingly, you can boost this cancer-starving defense system by eating certain foods.

    Soybeans, for example, have been found to have a powerful influence on angiogenesis. A 1993 study by the University of Heidelberg found that soy foods contain genistein, a potent cancer-fighting substance that suppresses the blood vessels that feed nutrients to tumors. Furthermore, it was found that genistein prevented the growth of several types of cancer cells, including Ewing’s sarcoma cells, which lead to bone and soft-tissue tumors. Studies have found you’ll need to consume a daily portion of at least 10 grams of soy protein to enjoy the cancer-fighting benefits. You can achieve this through eating foods like tofu, soy milk and edamame as well as fermented soy products like miso and soy sauce.

    And if you’re not a fan of soy, then don’t worry, because broccoli has also been found to have a potent effect on angiogenesis too.

    Broccoli contains brassinin and sulforaphanes, substances that help angiogenesis keep blood vessel production in balance and fight cancer. For instance, research conducted by Harvard University has shown that broccoli consumption is associated with a 33 percent lower risk of ovarian cancer, a 59 percent lower risk of prostate cancer, and a 28 percent lower risk of melanoma, the most deadly form of skin cancer. So to reduce your risk of cancer, add between one and two cups of broccoli to your diet each week.

    Read on to discover how what you drink, as well as what you eat, can protect you from disease.

    Want to see all full key ideas from Eat to Beat Disease?

    Key ideas in Eat to Beat Disease

    More knowledge in less time
    Read or listen
    Read or listen
    Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
    Find your next read
    Find your next read
    Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
    Shortcasts
    Shortcasts New
    We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.

    What is Eat to Beat Disease about?

    Eat to Beat Disease (2019) shines a light on the sophisticated systems the body uses to defend itself from deadly diseases. Drawing on the latest scientific research, these blinks explore how your dietary choices support these defense systems and explain how, when it comes to your health, food truly is medicine.

    Eat to Beat Disease Review

    Eat to Beat Disease (2019) by William W. Li is a fascinating book that explores the relationship between food and our body's ability to ward off diseases. Here's why you should give this book a read:

    • With its groundbreaking research and scientific evidence, the book provides actionable steps to prevent and combat diseases through our diet.
    • The author's accessible language and relatable examples make complex medical concepts easy to understand, ensuring that readers stay engaged throughout.
    • Through insightful case studies and personal stories, the book highlights the power of food as a tool for healing and maintaining optimal health, making it anything but boring.

    Best quote from Eat to Beat Disease

    Eating fermented foods can increase the diversity of your gut microbiome, which improves your health defenses.

    —William W. Li
    example alt text

    Who should read Eat to Beat Disease?

    • Couch potatoes trying to lose weight
    • Fitness freaks wanting to optimize their diet
    • Health professionals looking for an insight into nutrition

    About the Author

    William W. Li is a scientist, doctor and author. His work with the Angiogenesis Foundation has led to the development of multiple groundbreaking medical therapies and devices. Through his work, he has impacted the health of over 50 million people around the world. Dr. Li has also held faculty posts at both Harvard and Tufts University, and his TED talk “Can We Eat to Starve Cancer?” has been viewed more than 11 million times.

    Categories with Eat to Beat Disease

    Book summaries like Eat to Beat Disease

    People ❤️ Blinkist 
    Sven O.

    It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.

    Thi Viet Quynh N.

    Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.

    Jonathan A.

    Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.

    Renee D.

    Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.

    People also liked these summaries

    4.7 Stars
    Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
    34 Million
    Downloads on all platforms
    10+ years
    Experience igniting personal growth
    Powerful ideas from top nonfiction

    Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.

    Start your free trial

    Eat to Beat Disease FAQs 

    What is the main message of Eat to Beat Disease?

    The main message of Eat to Beat Disease is that the right foods can help prevent and fight disease.

    How long does it take to read Eat to Beat Disease?

    The reading time for Eat to Beat Disease varies, but it usually takes a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.

    Is Eat to Beat Disease a good book? Is it worth reading?

    Eat to Beat Disease is a valuable book. It offers scientific insights and practical tips to improve health.

    Who is the author of Eat to Beat Disease?

    The author of Eat to Beat Disease is William W. Li.

    What to read after Eat to Beat Disease?

    If you're wondering what to read next after Eat to Beat Disease, here are some recommendations we suggest:
    • Eat to Beat Your Diet by William W. Li
    • What to Eat When by Michael Roizen
    • Genius Foods by Max Lugavere
    • Brain Food by Lisa Mosconi
    • Eat It! by Jordan Syatt and Michael Vacanti
    • Super Immunity by Joel Fuhrman
    • In Praise of Walking by Shane O'Mara
    • Mind Magic by James R. Doty
    • Saving Time by Jenny Odell
    • The Longevity Project by Howard S. Friedman and Leslie R. Martin