Tomatoes contain a powerful antioxidant known as Lycopene – a red carotene and carotenoid pigment that also gives tomatoes their color. According to the American Cancer Society, people who eat a diet rich in Lycopene, including tomatoes, have a reduced risk of certain cancers like prostate, lung, and stomach cancer. This highlights the positive effects of tomatoes in a man’s diet. However, many studies show mixed results. Until researchers complete further testing, no absolute proof exists that Lycopene helps prevent cancer.
How to naturally increase Lycopene in your diet
A diet enriched with Lycopene offers many benefits, and as mentioned above, the health advantages of Lycopene outweigh the risks of excluding it. Many vegetables and fruits help reduce the risk of heart disease, cancer, and other illnesses. However, men should include tomatoes, with their strong Lycopene content, as part of their regular diet.
You can increase Lycopene in your diet by trying the following methods:
- Switch from a generic tomato sauce and ketchup to one that uses organic tomatoes.
- Red tomatoes should be favoured over other varieties of tomato because they have a stronger concentration of Lycopene.
- Processed tomatoes are just as beneficial as raw tomatoes since the Lycopene is more easily absorbed by the body.
- Men should try to increase the quantity of tomato-based products they include in their weekly diet with such items as tomato sauces, tomato soup, and other products with tomato paste.
