Prostate Cancer: This popular food can reduce the risk – do you include it in your diet?

Prostate cancer can develop when prostate cells begin to grow uncontrollably. The symptoms of prostate cancer usually only appear when the prostate is big enough to affect the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the penis. This can make the condition difficult to detect in the early stages. There are many ways to reduce the risk of developing cancer. A study suggests that some vegetable can help.

According to a study published in the medical journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, men who consume more than 10 servings of tomatoes each week reduce their risk of developing prostate cancer by approximately 20%.

This corroborates the abundant evidence that a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed and red meat, as well as fat and salt can help reduce risk.

The Bristol team badyzed the diets and lifestyles of around 20,000 British men aged 50 to 69 years. They discovered that men eating more than ten servings of tomatoes each week – like fresh tomatoes, tomato juice and prostate cancer risk.

It was also found that eating the five recommended servings of fruits or vegetables a day or more reduced the risk by 24%, compared to men consuming two and a half servings or less.

"Our results suggest that tomatoes could play an important role in the prevention of prostate cancer," said Vanessa Er, of Bristol University's School of Community and Social Medicine.

"However, further studies need to be conducted to confirm our findings, especially in humans. [clinical] trials.

"Men should always eat a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, maintain a healthy weight and stay active," Er added.

The anti-cancer properties of tomato are thought to be due to lycopene, an antioxidant that can protect against DNA and cellular damage.

The researchers also looked at two other dietary components related to the risk of prostate cancer – selenium, found in flour-based foods such as bread and pasta, and calcium in dairy products such as milk. and cheese.

Men who had the recommended intake of these three dietary components had a lower risk of prostate cancer, they said.

In his commentary on the study, Dr. Iain Frame of Prostate Cancer UK said that there was not yet enough evidence to formulate concrete recommendations on specific foods that men should eat for reduce their risk of prostate cancer.

"What we do know is that men should not rely too much on one type of food, like tomato," Dr. Frame said.

"A healthy and balanced diet with an abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a regular physical exercise are by far the best option."

Tom Stansfeld of Cancer Research UK added: "Although eating foods high in lycopene – such as tomatoes – or selenium may be badociated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer, this has not been proven, and this study can not confirm is a link between diet and prostate cancer risk.

"Diet and cancer prevention is a complex issue with few black and white answers, we encourage everyone to eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and low in processed and red meat, fat and salt. . "

Commenting on the study, the NHS said, "This study does not provide enough evidence to alter the recommendations to reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

"A healthy and balanced diet, regular physical exercises and stopping smoking remain the solution, instead of consuming an exclusive type of food, like tomatoes."