Tomatoes can prevent stomach cancer

Tomatoes can prevent stomach cancer

Research by American scientists at Temple University in Philadelphia and Italian colleagues at the Mercogliano Cancer Research Center was recently published in the Journal of Cellular Physiology, stating that intact extracts from tomatoes have the ability to Prevent stomach cancer.

The research team tested the effects of tomato extract on a series of stomach cancer cells. They found that the extract not only prevented cancer cells from growing, but also interfered with migration – the process by which cancer cells begin to migrate from the primary tumor, entering neighboring tissues. As a result, cancer cells die quickly.
San Marzano tomato, one of two tomato varieties tested.

San Marzano tomato, one of two tomato varieties tested. COOKINGHOW photo

Several previous studies have cited the anti-cancer ability of an ingredient called lycopene – a form of carotenoid that creates the red color in tomatoes. However, study co-author Daniela Barone of Mercogliano believes that the anti-tumor effect may be in the entire tomato extract, not just lycopene.

The research team said they only tested the anti-cancer effects on two varieties of tomato, San Marzano and Corbarino, but did not rule out similar benefits in many other varieties.