Eating habits have not always kept up with scientific learning.
Way back in 450 B.C., Alcmaeon, an early Greek medical writer, held that good health could be achieved by maintaining a strict equilibrium between what went in and what came out. Such advice endures and is even strengthened with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) clearing the way for food companies to make qualified claims in advertisements and on food labels that tomatoes can reduce the risk of prostate, gastric, ovarian and pancreatic cancers.
Here is a FDA example of a food label claim about lowering the risk of prostate cancer: "Very limited and preliminary scientific research suggests that eating one half to one cup of tomatoes and/or tomato sauce a week may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. FDA concludes that there is very little scientific evidence supporting this claim." So, you may ask, what is the scientific evidence?
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute (Volume 94, 2002) reported that a diet rich in tomato-based foods can reduce the risk of prostate cancer.
When researchers analyzed the diets and prostate cancer data of more than 47,000 men (40-75 years old), they found that eating at least two meals each week containing tomato products reduced prostate cancer rates by 24 to 36 percent.
The study is consistent with previous prostate cancer research involving foods that contain lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomato products. Antioxidants are substances thought to protect against cancer by reducing tissue-damaging free radicals that are produced during metabolism.
The researchers note that foods containing cooked tomatoes appear to be particularly beneficial in protecting against prostate cancer. Tomato sauce was a favorite food of the research participants and also seemed to provide the most protection. Cooking may allow the body to absorb more lycopene by breaking down the cell walls of the tomato.
As one of those men between 40-75 years old, I am encouraged to eat more tomatoes and tomato products. How about you?