Tomato Juice and Prostate Cancer

According to the American Cancer Society, about 30,000 men die every year from prostate cancer in the United States. Men over the age of 50 years or who have a family history of prostate cancer are at a greater risk. The prostate is a small walnut sized gland which is an important part of a man's reproductive system. Abnormal growth of the prostate cells results in the formation of a tumor which is termed as cancer. These cancerous cells cause death if not taken care of in time. Hence, it is very important to take preventive measures or get the disease treated as soon as possible. A healthy and nutritious diet is very helpful in staying away from cancer. Tomato is considered to be one of the most effective foods in preventing prostate cancer. Tomato juice and prostate cancer are related to each other because of an important constituent in tomatoes known as lycopene. Let's find out more about it.

Tomatoes and Prostate Cancer Prevention

There is no cure for cancer. Hence, it is one of the most dangerous diseases. We can just take precautionary measures to avoid cancer. Studies show that tomatoes are very effective in preventing cancer. But the question is what is present in tomatoes which can restrict cancer from occurring. The constituent is lycopene. Lycopene benefits are famous in the world of cancer prevention. It is a phytochemical component which is also known as carotenoid. This carotenoid is responsible for the red color of the tomato. Its antioxidant and antiproliferative properties help in preventing many diseases including cancer. Researches and studies reveal the effectiveness of tomato juice. The researches show that regular intake of tomato juice can reduce the occurrence of cancer to 45%. Apart from this, in many cases people consuming lycopene have smaller tumors where their tumor is restricted to the prostate and does not spread to the adjoining organs.

Lycopene rich tomato juice stabilizes free peroxyl oxygen radicals which stop the growth of cancerous cells. It also prevents the damage caused to the DNA. As tomato is the main source of lycopene it is highly recommended for curing cancer. 100 grams of tomato juice contains 9.5mg of lycopene. Hence one should consult a doctor about the dietary change if diagnosed with prostate cancer. Intake of lycopene may totally depend upon the stage of cancer. A high level of lycopene in the blood results in the low level of PSA (prostate specific antigen). So it is very important to maintain a perfect level to fight against cancer. Tomatoes can be beneficial in any form whether you have it raw, juice form, paste, or in the form of sauce.

Tomato Juice Preparation for Preventing Prostate Cancer

To enjoy the tomato juice benefits and to stay away from prostate cancer the following is a simple way to prepare tomato juice.

• Take 2 to 3 ripe tomatoes and put them in boiling water. Boil it just for 10 seconds. Take it out immediately and put it in ice-cold water.
• Remove the tomatoes from the cold water. This will make the skin soft and it can be easily peeled off.
• Remove the seeds if you don't want them in the juice. Now put these tomatoes in a food processor and grind it. You are ready with fresh tomato juice.
• Add salt and spices for better taste.

Consult your doctor about the daily intake of tomato juice before making any major dietary change. Tomato juice is effective but this does not mean it gives you a 100% cure or protection against prostate cancer. Hence the people who are already suffering from this type of cancer should follow proper treatment also. With this we come to the end of this Buzzle article. Hope this information was helpful and informative.