Tomatoes!

Based on the American Cancer Society’s recommendation of 5 or more servings of vegetables and fruit each day, as well as the potential benefit of tomato intake for men with prostate cancer, we recommend that men consume 2 or more servings per week of cooked tomatoes, such as sauteed or roasted tomatoes, marinara sauce, tomato soup, etc.

Some epidemiologic studies suggest that greater intake of tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes (i.e. tomato sauce) after prostate cancer diagnosis reduces risk of prostate cancer progression. In the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, a two-serving per week increase in tomato sauce intake was associated with a 20% reduction in risk of prostate cancer progression (mostly biochemical recurrence). Tomatoes are a good source of the antioxidant, lycopene, which neutralizes free radicals and reduces oxidative damage to cells. Cooking tomatoes in a little oil increases the absorption of lycopene compared to raw tomatoes or tomato juice, which is why we recommend consuming cooked tomato products at least two times per week.  Healthy unsaturated oils, such as canola or olive oil, may also be beneficial for men with prostate cancer and thus cooking tomatoes in small amounts of these healthy fats is a win-win!

More information from clinical trials is needed to prove whether consuming lycopene-rich foods prevents progression of prostate cancer. Until these definitive studies are completed, we recommend obtaining lycopene through a healthy diet rich in vegetables and fruits, such as cooked tomato products, rather than supplements. Consuming excessive amounts of any one nutrient is rarely beneficial, and may actually be harmful, so it is best to achieve good nutrition through dietary choices.