A Hearty Helping of Tomato Products Could Help Keep You Healthy!

A Hearty Helping of Tomato Products Could Help Keep You Healthy!

Over the past several years, a variety of scientific studies from all over the world have led to the recognition of tomatoes - and particularly, tomato-based products - as an important dietary component with wide-ranging positive health effects.

Studies at Harvard University¹ and the University of North Carolina², respectively, found that the consumption of tomato-based products significantly reduced the risk of prostate cancer and helped shield lungs from the DNA damage associated with high ozone concentrations and cigarette smoke. In fact, the Harvard study documented a 45% reduction in prostate cancer risk in men consuming rich tomato sauce two to four times weekly. In Finland³, researchers found direct links between tomato-based diets and reduced LDL cholesterol, lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke, and Scottish⁴ scientists assert that the yellow jelly around tomato seeds acts like aspirin, retarding the development of blood clots.

What's the magic? Tomatoes contain powerful antioxidants to fight the free radicals in our bodies that contribute to aging and chronic disease. The lycopene (see sidebar) in tomatoes - the source of that beautiful red color - has been discovered to have healthful effects not only when it comes to cancer, but also in deterring macular degeneration, a deteriorating eye condition that often leads to blindness.

In all cases, researchers found that cooked tomato-based products - especially tomato sauces and pizza sauce - had the greatest effect, as heating seemed to release and/or concentrate the lycopene.

For More Information, visit:

www.eatcatomatoes.org/Consumer/Content.aspx?id=58
www.nancysuniverse.com/Herbs%20Health/Tomatoes.htm
http://oh.essortment.com/tomatolycopene_rmls.htm


1. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Vol. 87, No. 23, December 6, 1995
2. American Health Foundation Symposium, April 11, 2004, NYC, NY "On the Role of
    Tomato Products in Carotenoids and Disease Prevention"
3. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 2000;20:2677-2681.
4. Rowett Research Institute, Aberdeen, Scotland, Press release July 10, 2000 DelMonte