(21-01-14) Tomatoes can help prevent breast cancer

by Josh Anderson

(NaturalNews) While the debate over whether tomatoes are a fruit, berry or vegetable rages on, their health benefits are well known. Their lycopene content has been linked to a reduction in the risk of certain types of cancers like stomach, oral and prostate cancer. They have even been shown to improve cardiovascular health and combat osteoporosis. Plus, their lutein content is good for your eyes! Another benefit of tomato consumption is its ability to prevent breast cancer in post-menopausal women by helping regulate blood sugar and fat levels. Blood sugar and fat level regulation could make it easier for post-menopausal women to maintain a leaner body weight.

Breast cancer in post-menopausal women is linked to body mass. As the body mass index increases, so does the inherent risk of breast cancer. A study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism this month indicated that the consumption of tomatoes regulates the release of adiponectin. This hormone regulates blood fat and sugar levels. By increasing adiponectin secretion, the consumption of tomatoes can help women maintain a healthier body weight and therefore help decrease their risk of breast cancer.

The absence of adiponectin and its ability to regulate blood sugar has been linked to obesity and even diabetes. Obese individuals have been found to have lower levels of adiponectin in the blood, meaning that their blood sugar and fat levels remain elevated compared to leaner individuals. To achieve similar results, women can increase adiponectin secretion by almost 10% by eating at least 25 mg of lycopene daily. Considering that a cup (240 mL) of tomato juice contains 23 mg of lycopene, a little over a cup (around 260 mL) of tomato juice a day would provide similar results.

The ability of tomatoes to prevent and protect against cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, their ability to provide valuable eye-healthy nutrients and their ability to protect against many cancers, including breast cancer, makes them a valuable nutrition commodity. By adding a little over a cup of tomato juice to your diet a day, you can increase the regulatory efficiency of your blood sugar and fat levels and help yourself maintain a leaner body weight.

Sources for this article include:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

http://www.sciencedaily.com

http://www.endocrine.org

http://science.naturalnews.com

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