August 25, 2006 – The results of a recent review of clinical trials1 are reviving the debate about the effectiveness of lycopene in tomatoes to prevent certain types of cancer, including cancers of the prostate, stomach, ovaries and pancreas.
The regular consumption of products made from tomatoes or extracts of this vegetable would indeed have positive effects on health. More specifically, it would increase the blood level of antioxidants and lower biomarkers of carcinogenesis. Which would protect against cancer.
At least, that’s the conclusions of the two American researchers who analyzed the results of 20 clinical trials.2 conducted between 1998 and 2006 with around 600 subjects. According to them, these benefits are attributable to lycopene, an antioxidant that gives tomatoes its red color.
What about lycopene supplements?
In these trials, the efficacy of various tomato products or total tomato extracts containing lycopene in combination with other antioxidants and phytochemicals was tested. This type of extract, taken as a supplement, is said to have the same effects as a tomato.
The authors point out, however, that, unlike this type of extract, pure lycopene has not been the subject of conclusive trials on humans, although its antioxidant and anticancer efficacy has been proven by in vitro tests. It is not known, therefore, whether synthetic lycopene really possesses the virtues of tomatoes.
The researchers also point out that we must absorb a fatty substance, olive oil for example, at the same time as the tomatoes for the body to adequately absorb lycopene.
Unlike the FDA
Recall that in November 2005, the Food and Drug Agency (FDA) – a body which, in the United States, evaluates health claims placed on food products – rejected anti-cancer claims concerning lycopene. It only allowed a very nuanced claim for certain tomato products.
In the United States, manufacturers can indeed discuss the potential preventive effects of consuming tomatoes or tomato sauce against prostate cancer. But they must accompany this claim with the following statement: “The FDA concludes that there is little scientific evidence to support this claim”3.
As for claims relating to the potential preventive effects of tomato against stomach cancer, ovarian cancer and pancreatic cancer, the FDA requires that they be accompanied by a statement that these effects are unlikely or highly. improbable.
Pierre Lefrançois – PasseportSanté.net
According to FoodNavigator-USA.com.
1. Basu A, Imrhan V. Tomatoes versus lycopene in oxidative stress and carcinogenesis: conclusions from clinical trials. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, doi: 10.1038 / sj.ejcn.1602510. [Consulté le 22 août 2006]. www.nature.com
2. The researchers analyzed the results of clinical trials conducted in healthy humans, in subjects with type 2 diabetes and in patients with prostate cancer.
3. Food and Drug Administration (United States). Qualified Health Claims: Letter of Partial Denial -. Tomatoes and Prostate, Ovarian, Gastric and Pancreatic Cancers (American Longevity Petition) “(Docket No. 2004Q-0201) CFSAN / Office of Nutritional Products, Labeling, and Dietary Supplements. November 8, 2005. [Consulté le 23 août 2006]. www.cfsan.fda.gov
