(NaturalNews) While it's important to eat a range of fruits and vegetables to help maintain overall health, a recent study has found that tomato consumption is particularly ideal for men wishing to reduce their risk of prostate cancer.(1)

The study, led by researchers at the University of Bristol, divided men aged 50-69 years into two groups; one that was diagnosed with prostate cancer and another that was cancer-free. Diets focusing on cancer-preventing components such as calcium, selenium, and lycopene were provided to the participants and ultimately, it was discovered that of the three, the most beneficial was tomato and tomato juice, which is high in the antioxidant lycopene.(1) In fact, the researchers noted that 10 portions of tomato weekly lowered prostate cancer risk by 18 percent.(1)

Vanessa Er, who led the research, says, "Our findings suggest that tomatoes may be important in prostate cancer prevention."(1)

Tomatoes a health food superstar

The findings reinforce other mentions that tout the benefits of tomatoes, which range from everything from helping with cardiovascular support to improving bone health and even reducing neurological conditions such as Alzheimer's disease.(2)

According to the World's Healthiest Foods web site, tomatoes' lycopene is a large factor behind such positive health outcomes, however, the site also states that a phytonutrient in tomatoes called alpha-tomatine is linked to the death of prostate cancer cells -- even ones that have been formed fully.(2)

Tomatoes, especially when eaten together with broccoli, have been referred to as a top cancer-fighting superfood, along with other cancer-combating choices like green tea and curcumin (found in turmeric).(3)

Prostate cancer, which typically occurs in older men, is estimated to lead to nearly 30,000 deaths in the United States in 2014 and 233,000 new cases for the same year.(4)

Prostate screenings are advised and in the event of a cancerous finding, treatments such as chemotherapy are common suggested.(4) However, there are some instances in which people have shunned such treatments in favor of a raw food diet and other lifestyle changes, as is the case of one man by the name of Joshua Strayer who healed his Stage 3 prostate and colon cancers in such a manner.(5)

Sources for this article include:

(1) http://www.scienceworldreport.com

(2) http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=44

(3) http://www.naturalnews.com

(4) http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/types/prostate

(5) https://www.naturalnews.com/046231_raw_food_diet_cancer_disease.html

About the author:
Raw Michelle is a natural health blogger and researcher, sharing her passions with others, using the Internet as her medium. She discusses topics in a straight forward way in hopes to help people from all walks of life achieve optimal health and well-being. She has authored and published hundreds of articles on topics such as the raw food diet and green living in general. >>> Click here to see more by Michelle