US scientists have produced an “anti-cancer” tomato that contains high levels of the antioxidant lycopene. The tomato, which was produced by accident when researchers at Purdue University in Indiana were trying to develop tomatoes that would ripen later, contains between two to three and a half times more lycopene than average. Researcher Avtar Handa said: “We are excited about this approach, not only because it results in an increase in lycopene in tomato, but because we think it could be used to increase the phytonutrient content of other fruits and vegetables.” Research has shown that eating a tomato-rich diet can reduce a man’s risk of prostate cancer by as much as 45%.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Reported by www.bbc.co.uk on the 20th June 2002
