The UK's Daily Mail reported that a large-scale study in the UK has found that eating 10 servings of tomatoes per week (equivalent to about 1.5 kg) can reduce the risk of prostate cancer in men by nearly one-fifth. Researchers believe that the key anti-cancer component in tomatoes is the antioxidant lycopene.
Researchers from the University of Bristol, the University of Cambridge, and the University of Oxford studied the diet and lifestyle of 14,000 men aged 50 to 69. The results showed that compared to participants who never or rarely ate tomatoes, men who ate at least 10 servings of tomatoes per week had an 18% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. One serving is equivalent to 150 grams of tomatoes, a serving of tomato sauce pizza, or a glass of tomato juice. Furthermore, consuming at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day could reduce the risk of cancer in men by 24%. Dr. Vanessa Erle, the lead researcher of the study, stated that to prevent prostate cancer, men should also consume 750-1200 mg of calcium and 105-200 micrograms of selenium daily.