Tomatoes and Cancer Prevention

Researched and Written by Keith Bishop, Clinical Nutritionist, Cancer Coach, Retired Pharmacist and Founder of Prevail Over Cancer

Tomatoes are a delicious and nutritious fruit that has been linked to a number of health benefits, including a reduced risk of cancer. The key compound in tomatoes that appears to be responsible for their cancer-fighting properties is lycopene. Lycopene is a carotenoid, which is a type of antioxidant that can protect cells from damage.

A number of studies have shown that people who eat more tomatoes or tomato products have a lower risk of developing certain types of cancer. For example, a study published in the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention found that men who ate the most tomatoes had a 33% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who ate the least tomatoes. Another study, published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control, found that women who ate the most tomato sauce had a 20% lower risk of ...