2. Diet is crucial in promoting human health and avoiding disease. Research shows that one-third of cancers are related to what we eat.

3. Studies have shown that including tomatoes and tomato products like juice, soup, ketchup, pizza and spaghetti sauces, barbecue sauce, salsa, chili, and rice with tomatoes in meals more than twice a week may reduce the risk of developing several types of cancer.

4. According to studies conducted at Harvard University School of Public Health, the lycopene in that amount (at least five servings a week) of processed tomato products had a significant preventative value against prostate cancer.

5. That same phytochemical antioxidant may also help women guard against cervical, breast, endometrial, and lung cancer cells.

6. Risk of cancers of the digestive tract, including those in the colon, rectum, stomach, esophagus, and mouth can be reduced by adding significant amounts of lycopene from tomatoes to the diet and that may reduce pancreatic cancer, as well.

7. Tomato products may also be beneficial in aggressive cancers that have spread to other parts of the body according to some studies.

8. Tomatoes are the richest source of lycopene and some other antioxidants in the North American diet.

9. Cooking tomatoes in oil encourages absorption and results in a two-to-threefold rise in plasma lycopene concentrations over tomatoes cooked without oil.

10. Processed tomatoes have higher levels of most nutrients than fresh tomatoes because they have been concentrated in preparing the product.

11. Lycopene is the most powerful carotenoid but it does not convert to vitamin A, as does beta carotene.

12. Prevention of cardiovascular diseases (heart disease, arteriosclerosis and cerebrovascular disease) is strongly associated with a healthy diet together with a healthy lifestyle.

13. Antioxidants like lycopene help ward off the damaging effects of free radicals, which helps to lower artery clogging LDL cholesterol and prevent arterial plaque.

14. Lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, helps to prevent heart disease.

15. The antioxidant activity of Vitamin C may also help prevent heart disease and may play role in preventing common colds.

16. The potassium in tomatoes promotes healthy blood components and helps maintain normal blood pressure.

17. Lycopene may play a role in preventing degenerative diseases of the eye, osteoporosis, diabetes, and others.

18. Lycopene and lutein are known to guard against eye diseases and vision loss from macular degeneration and cataracts.

19. Tomatoes are low in calories, only 14 calories per 100 grams; contain no fat or cholesterol.

20. Add processed tomatoes to meals at least twice a week and add up fruits and vegetables to at least 5 A Day.

Sources:

Giovannucci, Edward et al., “Intake of Carotenoids and Retinol in Relation to Risk of Prostate Cancer,” Journal of the National Cancer Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Disease and Cancer, Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge. N.Y.

Tomato Research Council, Article, “Lycopene in the American Diet,” Undated.

Hanley, Daniel Q., “Tomatoes, Oranges, Pasta and Soybeans Studied as Cancer Fighters,” AP, April 14, 1997.

Kumpulainen, Jorma T. et al, “Natural Antioxidants and Food Quality in Atherosclerosis and cancer Prevention,” Royal Society of Chemistry Information Services and Scheer, James F., “Tomato Power! Lycopene: The Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Disease and Cancer,” Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge, N.Y.

Meres-Perlman, Julie A., Ph.D., “Serum Antioxidants and Age-related Macular Degeneration in a Population-Based case-Control Study,” Archives Ophthalmology, December, 1995, Vol. 113:1518-1523.

Avram, Michael, Ph.D., Lycopene and Atherosclerosis,” A publication of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology and Scheer, James F., “Tomato Power! Lycopene: The Miracle Nutrient That Can Prevent Aging, Heart Disease and Cancer,” Advanced Research Press, Inc. 1999. Hauppauge, N.Y..