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Tomato

The tomato is a plant whose fruit is a popular food, but the fruit, leaves and vine of the plant are also used to make medicine. Tomato products are used to prevent breast cancer, bladder cancer, cervical cancer, colon and rectal cancer, stomach cancer, lung cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer. They are also used to prevent diabetes, cardiovascular disease, cataracts and asthma. Some people use tomato products to treat high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, colds, chills and digestive problems.

How do tomato products work?

Tomatoes contain a chemical called lycopene, which is believed to play a role in protecting against cancer. It is easier for the body to use lycopene supplied in the form of processed tomato products such as tomato paste or tomato juice than in the form of fresh tomatoes. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and scientists at Purdue University have been developing a tomato that contains twice as much lycopene as ordinary tomatoes and can also be stored for longer. This tomato is modified with a yeast gene that slows down the ripening process so that more lycopene can accumulate in the tomato. However, it will take a few more years before this tomato will be on the market.

How effective are tomato products?

Tomato products may be ineffective when used to prevent bladder cancer, breast cancer and diabetes.

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of tomato products in the following areas of application:

  • Cervical cancer: There is some limited evidence to suggest that eating more tomatoes is associated with a lower risk of developing cervical cancer.
  • Colorectal cancer: Scientific research on the effects of tomatoes on colorectal cancer risk has come to conflicting conclusions. Some studies conclude that tomatoes or tomato products may help reduce the risk of colorectal cancer, but other studies, which some scientists believe have a better study design, have not found any benefits of tomatoes.
  • Stomach cancer: At this time, there is no clear evidence on whether tomatoes or tomato products may help protect against stomach cancer.
  • Lung cancer: The results of studies on the effects of eating tomatoes or tomato products on the risk of lung cancer are mixed. Some studies have concluded that tomatoes or tomato products may help protect against lung cancer. However, these studies have been criticized because they did not take into account the smoking habits of the test subjects. Higher quality, large-scale studies were unable to establish a link between the consumption of tomato products and the risk of lung cancer.
  • Ovarian cancer: Some studies suggest that eating more tomatoes does not appear to protect against ovarian cancer. However, eating tomato sauce twice a week or more appears to reduce the risk of ovarian cancer. Other studies suggest that increased dietary intake of lycopene is associated with a reduced risk in premenopausal women.
  • Pancreatic cancer: Study results regarding the effects of tomatoes on pancreatic cancer risk are contradictory. One large-scale study showed that the consumption of tomatoes or tomato-based products does not appear to reduce the risk of pancreatic cancer. However, other studies suggest that eating tomatoes in general is associated with a reduced risk of developing pancreatic cancer.
  • Prostate cancer: Study results regarding the effects of tomatoes on prostate cancer risk are contradictory. Some studies suggest that the risk of prostate cancer is slightly reduced in men who eat tomato products including tomatoes, tomato sauce, pizza or tomato juice once a week or more often. However, other studies have found no benefits of tomatoes or tomato products.
  • Cardiovascular disease: Some research suggests that eating more tomato-based produce is associated with a reduced risk of heart attacks and strokes in women.
  • High blood pressure: Preliminary study results suggest that a specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) may slightly lower blood pressure in people with untreated, mildly elevated blood pressure.
  • Cataracts: Eating more than 3 servings of tomatoes per week could help prevent cataracts.
  • Asthma: New research suggests that taking a specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) appears to reduce symptoms in people who have asthma attacks during exercise
  • arthritis
  • Colds.
  • chills
  • Digestive disorders.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of tomato products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Tomatoes are safe and harmless when consumed as food. A specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) could be safe and harmless if used for up to 8 weeks. Tomato leaves are not safe and harmless. In large quantities, tomato leaves can cause poisoning. Symptoms of poisoning can include severe irritation of the mouth and throat, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, headaches and mild cramps, and in severe cases such poisoning can be fatal. Not enough is known about the safety and harmlessness of tomato vine.

Precautions and warnings

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tomatoes are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women in normal amounts. However, larger medicinal amounts of tomato products should be avoided until more is known about their safety.

Interactions

At this time, there is no information on interactions of tomato products with medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of tomato products depends on various factors such as age, health status and others. At this time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for tomato products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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