Tomato-rich diet ‘can protect against breast cancer’

Scientists in the US have reported data from a new study showing the benefits that tomato-rich diets can have in protecting against breast cancer.

A team led by Ohio State University have carried out a longitudinal crossover study examining the effect of both tomato-rich and soy-rich diets in a group of 70 postmenopausal women over ten-week periods.

When they followed the tomato-rich diet, participants' levels of adiponectin – a hormone involved in regulating blood sugar and fat levels – climbed nine percent, an effect that was more pronounced among those with lower body mass indices.

Lead author Dr Adana Llanos, who is now assistant professor of epidemiology at Rutgers University, said: "Based on this data, we believe regular consumption of at least the daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables would promote breast cancer prevention in an at-risk population."

NHS figures show that breast cancer is the most common cancer type in the UK, with around 48,000 women contracting the disease in Britain each year.