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Health
Spanish medical experts advise men to include tomatoes in their diet to reduce the risk of prostate cancer due to their lycopene content.
Physicians from the Spanish Medical Oncology Association are urging men to incorporate tomatoes regularly into their diets as a measure to decrease the risk of developing prostate cancer.
They explain that prostate cancer arises from genetic mutations that trigger uncontrolled cell division within the gland's tissues. Since tomatoes contain lycopene, a natural antioxidant that protects cells from DNA damage, it is believed to reduce the likelihood of cancer development.
According to these medical professionals, consistent consumption of tomatoes may also positively influence overall health status.
A source from the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food noted that the benefits of tomatoes extend beyond cancer prevention. Tomatoes also help lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases, support the immune system, improve digestion, and enhance skin health. Additionally, tomatoes provide potassium and vitamins A and C.
The doctors emphasize that tomatoes should be considered part of a balanced diet rather than a standalone preventive measure against cancer. They recommend maintaining a varied diet alongside a healthy lifestyle.
The experts identify the primary risk factors for prostate cancer as excess body weight, smoking, and diets high in fat.
British doctor William Lee advises including tomatoes and nuts in the diet to help prevent cancer. He highlights that nuts—particularly walnuts, almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, and pistachios—contain polyphenol compounds with anticancer properties that strengthen the immune system, as well as omega-3 fatty acids that inhibit nutrient supply to cancer cells.
Dr. Lee underscores the importance of tomatoes due to their high lycopene content, describing lycopene as a potent antioxidant that protects DNA structure and thereby prevents cancer. He adds that lycopene can also slow the growth of malignant tumors.
He cites studies indicating that men who consume tomatoes at least twice weekly reduce their risk of prostate cancer by about one-third.
