Milk is nutritious, but many studies have found that men who often drink milk are more likely to develop prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is a common malignant tumor of the male reproductive system. A research group in Boston, USA, conducted an 11-year follow-up survey of 20,885 American male physicians. The dairy products they consumed mainly included skim milk, whole milk, and cheese, among which 1,012 men developed prostate cancer. Researchers in Philadelphia, USA, also confirmed through nearly 10 years of epidemiological investigation that high consumption of dairy products increases the risk of prostate cancer in men. The reason may be that the estrogen content in some brands of milk is relatively high.
Fortunately, some plant compounds in fruits and vegetables have certain anti-cancer effects. Lycopene is an important carotenoid that is widely found in fruits and vegetables. Tomatoes, apricots, guavas, watermelons, papayas, and red grapes all contain relatively high amounts of lycopene, with tomatoes having the highest content. [China Food]
American researchers conducted a 6-year follow-up survey of 46,000 men and found that 773 of them developed prostate cancer. The study found that compared to those who did not eat raw tomatoes, men who ate raw tomatoes 2-4 times a week had a 26% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. Tomato pizza and tomato sauce also have the same effect. Direct consumption of lycopene can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Lycopene has the strongest antioxidant properties among natural carotenoids. It has effects such as protecting genetic material DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid), inhibiting the proliferation of cancer cells, and regulating hormone levels. Its anti-prostate cancer effect has been confirmed by numerous studies.
To take care of the prostate, men should be moderate in drinking milk and not treat it as a beverage. Additionally, it is important to maintain a balanced diet and consider eating more tomatoes daily.