Tomato Juice and Prostate Cancer  

Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that strikes men above age of 60 years. Even younger men who have family history of prostate cancer are likely to be suffering from it. Being so common, men everywhere are looking for alternatives either as prevention or treatment. One of the foods that are shown to have anti-cancer properties on the prostate gland is tomato. Tomato juice and prostate cancer are positively associated with each other. 

While there are few dietary related causes for occurrence of prostate cancer, there are also some specific foods that can prevent or treat or even cure it.  One of such foods is tomato. Cancer research has proven that tomato juice has presence of a useful constituent called lycopene that is effectual in preventing prostate cancer. This constituent is a phytochemical and also known by the name of carotenoid. This very constituent imparts red color to tomato. Lycopene has several antioxidant and anti- tumor (including malignant tumors) properties in it that prevents body from developing cancer as well as several other diseases.  

Lycopene: Lycopene is an important constituent present in tomatoes that reduces the risk of prostate cancer up to 45 percent. Case studies have revealed that those who had insignificant tumors present in their bodies were able to restrict its reach to nearby organs.  

Lycopene is able to stabilize the presence of free peroxyl oxygen radicals inside the body thus curtailing the growth of malignant cells. It also averts the impending damage to the DNA that may occur due to any biological change in body.  

Some more definite advantages of lycopene are as follows:  

• Serves as a significant vivo antioxidant 
• Enhances cell-to-cell contact 
• Modulates cell-cycle development 
• Provides vital support to cardio-vascular system 
• Oral intake of lycopene helps in treating oral leukoplakia 
• Reduces risk of pancreatic cancer 
• Diminishes secondary tumors 
• Provides relief from bone pain and urinary tract infection 

Since tomato juice has ample amount of lycopene present in it, it is strongly advocated for preventing cancer. While it is never harmful to consume tomatoes in any form (raw, juice, paste or sauce), it is always better to eat it cooked, according to researchers of the Cornel University. Cooking the tomatoes, however, reduces its vitamin C. In addition, excessive intake of lycopene may result in lower level of prostate specific antigen (PSA). Thus the perfect level of lycopene must be maintained in order to fight prostate cancer effectively.  

Tomato Juice Preparation 

It is recommended to consume fresh tomato juice rather than processed or preserved preparation. Tomato juice, in its fresh form, is able to retain its basic nutrients to a greater extent. Here is a simple recipe to prepare tomato juice easily at home -  

Take few (3 to 4) ripe tomatoes of medium size and boil them in a pan. Boil the tomatoes for 10 to 15 seconds and then take them out. Now put the boiled tomatoes in icy water. This will soften their outer skin to be peeled off easily. Remove or retain (as per preference) the tomato seeds before grinding them in food processor. Fresh tomato juice is ready to be consumed. Add seasonings to it as per taste. 

Conclusively, lycopene enriched tomato juice is a natural supplement that has ability to protect prostate, and other body parts, from cancerous cells. It may not be an autonomous cure for prostate cancer, but can certainly help in diminishing the risk.