Mocktails are on the rise! These cocktail alternatives have become increasingly popular as more people decide to cut alcohol out of their diets. Whether you are participating in Dry January, pregnant, or looking to decrease your alcohol intake, mock-cocktails provide healthy alternatives to popular beverages. Why Should You Decrease Your Alcohol Intake? Aside from quitting smoking, a healthy diet is the most effective way to reduce one’s risk of cancer. Worldwide research studies over many years indicate roughly 30-40% of cancer diagnoses could be prevented by modest diet and lifestyle changes. Per the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, alcohol consumption is the third leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States. Unfortunately, less than half of Americans realize the risk. In early 2025, the U.S. Surgeon General recommended alcoholic beverages come with cancer risk warnings similar to tobacco products. Prevention remains our best weapon against cancer. Swap Cocktails for Mocktails An accessible way to reduce one’s alcohol intake is to swap cocktails for healthy and delicious mocktails. For an additional health bonus, consider using ingredients featured in NFCR’s Cancer-Fighting Food archive to boost your overall well-being and reduce your risk of cancer. Below is a selection of Winter Mocktails for you to try. Mulled Apple Cider Hot drinks, like Mulled Apple Cider, are a go-to winter option for those who want to stay warm and cozy. Apples boast a high amount of dietary fiber and polyphenol compounds, which partner with gut microbes to create an environment that may reduce one’s risk of cancer. With just 5 ingredients, you can make a delicious mulled apple cider in a crockpot or on the stovetop. Try this Mulled Apple Cider recipe from The Kitchn. You’ll need apple cider, an orange, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Galentine’s or Valentine’s Mocktail: Make a mocktail for someone you love! Whether it’s family, friends, or significant other, swapping a tasty mocktail with anticancer ingredients shows your love in more ways than one. To make a striking red drink, consider trying a Blood Orange Mocktail, like the recipe provided by Dash of Jazz. To make this drink, you will need blood oranges, sea salt, mint leaves, sparkling water, and a syrup sweetener of your choice. Using citrus fruit as a base for this mocktail means adding health benefits such as antioxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, cardiovascular, and neuroprotective properties not often found in your standard cocktail.  Super Bowl Mocktail: In the U.S., a list of staple events in winter usually includes the Super Bowl. Like many celebrations, this event can involve excessive drinking. For a no-alcohol drink option, try our Kickoff Mocktail! NFCR’s Kickoff Mocktail is a twist on a traditional Shandy, which typically combines beer and lemonade. To prepare the mocktail, combine a 12oz Non-Alcoholic Beer of your choosing with 1.5oz of orange juice (freshly squeezed for a healthier approach), 1.5oz of ginger beer, and a dash of pickle juice. Garnish with fruits or pickles to consume afterward. The orange in this recipe provides a vitamin C and folate boost that benefits X. The ginger in the ginger beer helps aid digestion and has [...]

Have you ever had the craving for fresh avocado toast in the morning? What about guacamole with a bit of a kick when you meet up with friends for lunch? Well, there’s some good news: you have inadvertently taken key steps to prevent cancer! Avocados have a high level of monounsaturated fats that research shows is relevant in preventing cancer. How do avocados fight cancer? Nowadays it seems like everyone has joined the avocado team, and it is easy to understand why. Research has demonstrated that avocados benefit numerous body systems, including cardiovascular, eye, bone, and digestive health. However, the most impressive recent discovery is that avocados might also help protect against certain cancers and inhibit the growth of cancer cells. It's remarkable to think that this stone fruit—which is indeed a fruit, not a vegetable—only gained widespread popularity in the United States in the 1990s. Avocados have nutrients that might help prevent cancer, though specific studies on this are limited. A recent study used data from 45,289 men and 67,039 women to explore this link. The men in the study who ate avocados at least once a week had a lower risk of several cancers, including colorectal, lung, and bladder cancer. However, women in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) who ate avocados had a higher risk of breast cancer, with no clear link to other cancers. How can you add avocados into your everyday diet? Follow along below and learn how to make some fresh, cancer-fighting guacamole! For this recipe, you will need: A large mixing bowl 2 Avocados 1 Jalapeno 1 Tomato Garlic Cloves ½ a Red Onion Cilantro Lime/Lime Juice Start by slicing your avocados and placing them into a large mixing bowl. Next, dice your red onion and garlic cloves and add them into the same mixing bowl. Follow this up by roughly chopping your tomatoes and adding them in. You will want to thinly slice your jalapeno and chop up your cilantro to add to the mix. Squeeze in your lime juice and mix the ingredients together thoroughly. Feel free to add in some crushed red pepper if you want to add more of a bite than your jalapenos are currently providing. And there you have it! Fresh, exceedingly easy, cancer-fighting guacamole.

Do you like beans? What’s your favorite? Black beans, chickpeas, dark red kidney, light red kidney, white kidney, lentils, pinto, red beans? Research shows that regular consumption of beans can offer various health benefits. Beans are not only versatile and delicious but also a powerful house for building a healthy body. Let’s explore this further together. Dry beans are rich in complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber (both soluble and insoluble), and they are also a good source of plant-based protein, making them a meat alternative. According to the Bean Institute, beans contain about 21 to 25% of protein by weight, which is significantly higher compared to vegetables. Additionally, beans are packed with essential vitamins, minerals, and micronutrients such as vitamins C and B, potassium, copper, phosphorus, manganese, magnesium, folate, and antioxidants (polyphenols). All these excellent nutrition properties enable beans to fight against cancer and strengthen overall health. Lower the Risk of Cancer & Other Health Benefits Beans are rich in antioxidants and phytochemicals that help protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, one of the most significant breakthroughs made by NFCR-supported scientists and also featured in NFCR’s 50th Anniversary Magazine. This reduces oxidative stress and inflammation, which both contribute to cancer development. Research indicates that consuming beans on a regular base can help lower the risk of colorectal, breast, and prostate cancers. Gut Health & Colorectal Cancer The BE GONE trial study shows that small navy beans can benefit colorectal cancer patients by fostering beneficial bacteria in their colon, supporting immune health, and regulating inflammation. This research also reveals that people who added a cup of navy beans to their daily meals experienced positive changes in their gut microbiome, aiding cancer prevention and improving treatment outcomes. Heart Health Including beans in your daily diet can also prevent cardiovascular diseases (CVD). According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), clinical studies have shown that beans can lower cholesterol levels and regulate blood pressure, both of which are risk factors for CVD. Prevent Diabetes & Weight Management Beans can prevent diabetes and obesity by lowering the glycemic index and controlling blood sugar levels. With high value in fiber and protein, beans help restrict appetite, reduce overall calorie intake, and maintain a healthy body weight. Adding Beans to Your Diet! Here’s an inspiration on how to incorporate beans into your meal, check out this delicious recipe! Ingredients 15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained 15 oz can kidney beans, rinsed and drained 15 oz can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, diced 1 cup corn 1 avocado 1 green bell pepper 1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, diced Juice from 1 large orange Juice from 2 limes 1/2 teaspoon cumin 3/4 teaspoon honey 1/4 teaspoon salt Pepper to taste 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional) Preparation: In a small bowl, whisk together orange and lime juices, cumin, honey, salt, pepper, and cayenne. In a large bowl, combine beans, tomatoes, corn, onion, bell pepper, avocado, and cilantro. Pour dressing over the bean mixture, and toss to combine. Chill for at least one hour before serving. Stir to incorporate [...]