Tomato-rich diet reduces risk of prostate cancer by nearly 20pc

A new study has found that men who take over 10 portions a week of tomatoes have an 18 percent lower risk of developing prostate cancer.

The study, which is the first study of its kind to develop a prostate cancer 'dietary index' which consists of dietary components like selenium, calcium and foods rich in lycopene, has found that men who had optimal intake of these three dietary components had a lower risk of prostate cancer.

According to the study, tomatoes and its products like tomato juice and baked beans, were shown to be most beneficial with a nearly 20 percent reduction in risk of the second most common cancer in men worldwide found in men eating over 10 portions a week.

Lead researcher Vanessa Er said that the findings suggest that tomatoes may be important in prostate cancer prevention, however, studies need to be conducted to confirm the findings, especially through human trials.

She also advised men to eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active to prevent the deadly cancer, and highlighted the need for developing additional dietary recommendations.

The study was published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention.