Tomato magic

Tomatoes may help protect postmenopausal women from breast cancer, according to new research published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. The study found that eating a diet high in tomatoes had a positive effect on the hormones regulating fat and sugar metabolism. For 10 weeks, the women ate tomato products containing at least 25 milligrams of lycopene daily (equivalent to about two medium tomatoes or 15 cherry tomatoes). Lycopene is a red pigment found in red fruits and vegetables such as carrots, watermelons and papayas but also in other foods such as brown beans, asparagus and parsley. It is thought to be the phytochemical behind the beneficial effects of tomatoes. On the tomato-rich diet, participants’ levels of adiponectin – the hormone important for blood sugar and fat regulation – increased. This is seen as good news for breast cancer prevention because fat metabolism is one of the key players in cancer development and diets high in fat are known to increase breast cancer risk.

_{Llanos et al., 2014. Effects of Tomato and Soy on Serum Adipokine Concentrations in Postmenopausal Women at Increased Breast Cancer Risk: A Cross-over Dietary Intervention Trial. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 99 (2) 625-632.}