5 Proven Health Benefits of Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes may help to reduce risk of prostate cancer

A study has suggested that men who eat over 10 portions of tomatoes every week have an 18% reduced prostate cancer risk.¹

Prostate cancer is the 2nd most prevalent cancer in men globally, with higher rates in developed countries, which some health experts believe is associated with a Westernized lifestyle and diet.

To evaluate if adherence to lifestyle and dietary recommendations reduces prostate cancer risk, the lifestyle and diets of 1,806 men between the ages of 50 and 69 who had prostate cancer were examined and compared to 12,005 cancer-free men.

The study developed a ‘dietary index’ for prostate cancer that consisted of dietary components, calcium, selenium, and lycopene-rich foods, which have been associated with prostate cancer. Men with an optimal intake of the 3 dietary components had a reduced prostate cancer risk.

Tomatoes and tomato products like baked beans and tomato juice provided the most benefit, with an 18% decrease in risk found in men eating over 10 portions every week.

This is believed to be a result of an antioxidant found in tomatoes known as lycopene, which helps fight off toxins that can lead to cell and DNA damage.

Here is a delicious homemade cream of tomato soup recipe