A diet against cancer may consist of simple foods. The red color of tomatoes makes them juicy, makes it look ripe, so it is difficult to resist, and made it a potential weapon against cancer of the prostate.
The red color of tomatoes comes from a phytochemical called lycopene (a powerful antioxidant). The latter is present in highest concentration in tomatoes. Many studies suggest that diets rich in lycopene may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. However, researchers do not yet know for certain whether this effect is directly related to lycopene itself or with another compound. Read also our recipe for stuffed tomatoes.
In laboratory tests, lycopene has stopped the growth of other types of cancer cells, including those of breast, lung and endometrial cancer (also known as cancer of the uterus). Researchers hypothesize that lycopene protects cells from damage that could lead to cancer by stimulating the immune system. Researchers at the American Institute for Cancer Research cons believe that lycopene stops tumor growth by interfering with the abnormal growth of cells.
To make the most of the benefits of lycopene, eat cooked or processed tomatoes (like tomato juice and pizza sauce). The processing of tomatoes makes the cancer-fighting compounds in your body longer because the heat breaks the cell walls of plants. Also, add the tomatoes processed food containing oil (pizza, pasta with sauce) makes the lycopene more available. Want more? Bite into a watermelon or pink grapefruit take the red peppers.
