A new study published in British Journal of Dermatology suggests a very strong role that tomato may play on fighting against skin cancer. In this paper researchers showed that eating tomato regularly, as little as 1.5 tablespoon of tomato paste per day, may reduce the risk of skin cancer by 33 percent. The photoprotective effects of tomato paste is because of its excellent amount of the carotenoid lycopene. Lycopene is found in red fruits and vegetables and is responsible of the red color in these fruits.
Scientists believe that when these micronutrients are ingested, they are distributed into light-exposed tissues of the skin and eye and consequently provide protection against UVs and skin cancer.
Tomato has many other amazing health benefits including:
Fighting against prostate cancer.
Lowering the levels of cholesterol in blood.
Excellent antioxidant and anti-aging properties.
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Source: Rizwan, M. et al, 2011, ‘Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial’, British Journal of Dermatology, 164:154–162.
