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Red veg could prevent prostate cancer
Barbara Quinn, a nutritionist affiliated with the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, believes that a diet rich in red vegetables, like tomatoes, apricots, guavas and watermelons may prevent men from developing prostate cancer, as they contain a substance called lycopene.
The reddish pigment that gives color to vegetables and fruits has been associated with a decrement of the prostate-specific antigen (PSA), which is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. Moreover, that type of fruit contains nutrients that can work together against cancer.
According to the National Cancer Institute (NC), elevated levels of PSA have been associated with prostate cancer. Currently, blood tests to analyze PSA levels, are conducted to monitor the progression of the disease, among men.
It is not clear if lycopene is equally effective when consumed through supplements, said Barbara Quinn. So eating lots of red vegetables may be a safe bet. A theory suggests that when lycopene is cooked with healthy fat, it can be better absorbed by the body.
For instance, tomatoes cooked in olive oil are a very potent source of lycopene, in comparison with raw tomatoes alone. Another great nutrient found in red vegetables, that can join the forces against prostate cancer, is vitamin D.
The NCI said that this “hormone-like” vitamin may have a protective effect on cells located in the prostate gland. It is not clear if vitamin D supplements are effective at the task, but men diagnosed with prostate cancer tend to show lower levels of the same nutrient.