Rung 3 · Moderate
Cooked tomatoes (lycopene)
Modestly lower prostate cancer risk in observational studies.
PreventionYou can do this
What studies found
A meta-analysis of 42 studies (692,000 people) linked higher dietary and blood lycopene to lower prostate cancer risk, about 1% lower per extra 2 mg a day. An earlier analysis found a stronger link for cooked tomato products than raw.
The catch
The World Cancer Research Fund downgraded lycopene to 'no conclusion possible' in 2014. Lycopene pills are not proven.
What to do
Tomato sauce, soup or paste a few times a week is reasonable and inexpensive.
Sources
Rung 3 of 5, Moderate: Consistent observational studies or small trials, not yet confirmed by large trials. How we score
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the prostate cancer page.
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