Dehydrated Tomatoes May Prevent Prostate Cancer

Many studies and research have proven that tomatoes are actually good in preventing and fighting cancer. But another research suggests that the form or tomato product one eats could be the key to unlocking its prostate cancer-fighting potential. And it is dehydrated tomatoes.

According to the latest issue of the Cancer Research, a journal by the American Association for Cancer Research, the greatest protective effect of tomatoes from cancer, especially prostate cancer, comes from rehydrating tomato powder into tomato paste. This suggests that processing of edible plants through heating, grinding, mixing or drying dramatically increases their nutritional value.

The protective effect of tomato products against prostate cancer has been suggested in many studies, but researchers remain uncertain about the exact mechanisms. The study demonstrated that FruHis, an organic carbohydrate present in dehydrated tomato products, exerts a strong protective effect.

The research also evaluated the anti-cancer properties of FruHis and 14 other D-fructose amino acids and found that FruHis in a concentrated form protected against DNA damage known to lead to prostate cancer. When combined with lycopene, FruHis stopped cancerous cell growth more than 98 percent of the time.

Before this study, researchers attributed the protective effect of tomatoes to ascorbic acid, carotenoids, or phenolic compounds. FruHis may represent a novel type of potential dietary antioxidant. Experiments like these suggest that a combination of FruHis and lycopene should be investigated as a potential therapeutic anti-tumor agent, not just a prevention strategy.

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research.