Consuming tomatoes may help keep breast cancer at bay

Researchers in the US have found that drinking a glass of tomato juice on a daily basis can protect women against breast cancer.

 

Scientists from a university in New Jersey, measured hormone levels in 70 women aged over 55 before and after increasing their tomato intake within 10 weeks.

 

These women were either overweight or related to someone with breast cancer, meaning they were a higher risk for the disease.

 

It was found that participants had increased levels of the adiponectin, a hormone involved in regulating fat levels and also known to increase the odds of breast cancer.

 

Researchers found that there was a significant increase in hormones among thinner women in particular.

 

Adana Llanos, of the university, said: “Consuming a diet rich in tomatoes had a larger impact on hormone levels in women who maintained a healthy weight.”

 

However, experts in Britain believe there’s a weakness in the study, with Yinka Ebo, of Cancer Research UK, saying: “There’s no need to start stocking up on tomatoes, women can reduce the risk of breast cancer by maintaining a healthy weight, drinking less alcohol and being physically active.”

 

Breast cancer is currently Britain’s most common cancer, with almost 50,000 women diagnosed with the disease each year, and about 1,000 dying from it every month.