Originally published February 15 2006
Japanese study suggests tomatoes can protect smokers from lung disease
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Scientists at Juntendo University School of Medicine in Tokyo have concluded that lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes, can protect smokers from contracting lung disease.
Emphysema is predominantly found in smokers' and prevents the lungs working properly, resulting in breathlessness and wheezing.
Together with chronic bronchitis it is one of the chief causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which kills about 28,000 people each year in the UK.
Emphysema damages the elastic supporting structure of the lungs, leading to the breakdown and collapse of airways.
Tomato juice was given to the mice because it contains a powerful natural antioxidant, lycopene, which is already known to benefit health.
It has been associated with a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men.
Tobacco smoke injures the lungs through chemical damage caused by dangerous groups of atoms called free radicals.
Antioxidants, such as lycopene, prevent this happening.
The scientists from the Juntendo University School of Medicine in Tokyo believe other ingredients in tomato juice may also have played a part.
They now want to test tomato juice on human patients with COPD.
The findings were published in the American Journal of Physiology.
All content posted on this site is commentary or opinion and is protected under Free Speech. Truth Publishing LLC takes sole responsibility for all content. Truth Publishing sells no hard products and earns no money from the recommendation of products. NaturalNews.com is presented for educational and commentary purposes only and should not be construed as professional advice from any licensed practitioner. Truth Publishing assumes no responsibility for the use or misuse of this material. For the full terms of usage of this material, visit www.NaturalNews.com/terms.shtml