Tomato could prevent skin cancer

Skin cancer has been increasing in recent years not only in the world, but also in Mexico. And it is by far the most common cancer among all types of cancer. This cancer is one that forms in the skin tissues and people can develop it due to various factors, such as sunburn or prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the world, every year skin cancer causes 8 million deaths, that is, one person dies every 52 minutes in the world, according to figures from the World Health Organization (WHO). In Mexico, 16 thousand new cases of skin cancer are detected every year. Doctors recommend a lot of prevention and care to avoid the development of this cancer, through the use of sunscreen and non-exposure to the sun’s rays.

Tomato against skin cancer

Now, new research claims that tomatoes help reduce the formation of skin cancer. The Ohio State University recently published a study showing the results of including dehydrated tomato in the daily diet of mice that were exposed to ultraviolet light. The mice that ate the diet with the vegetable had 50% fewer cancer tumors compared to those that ate a diet without tomatoes. The leading theory is that tomato carotenoids, which are the compounds that give it its color, can protect the skin from damage caused by ultraviolet light.

Cancer aggressiveness depends on sex

Something very interesting about this study is that there were no significant differences between the females in both groups. Previous studies have shown that tumors developed in male mice develop faster, in larger numbers and are much more aggressive. This shows us that sex is an important point to consider when exploring different forms of prevention. It has not yet been determined exactly which component helps reduce the development of skin cancer. Jessica Cooperstone, one of the authors of this study, is currently investigating what other elements in tomato may play a definitive role in these effects. It also mentions that some nutritional methods can control the risk of skin diseases. Food is not a drug, Cooperstone says, but over a lifetime of consumption it can alter the development of certain diseases. While science continues to work on finding new cures for skin cancer, it would be good to include tomatoes in our daily diet in foods such as salads, sauces, soups, etc. After all, tomatoes are a versatile food that provides many health benefits. If you want more information on nutrition and health topics, or need advice to find the healthiest eating plan to help you lose weight, click here.