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Tomato

Also: tamatar (Hindi) · Solanum lycopersicum

A versatile vegetable. Claims about lycopene and prostate health are not supported by trials.

Overall evidence

Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

Graded on the lycopene claim, where trials are too few to say.

A few small or low-quality studies, inconsistent results, or mostly lab and animal work. Interesting, but not enough to rely on.

Tomato
Photo: Softeis, via Wikimedia Commons (CC-BY-SA-3.0)

What it is

The fruit of Solanum lycopersicum, eaten raw or cooked; cooking with oil makes its red pigment lycopene easier to absorb.

Traditional use

Tradition, not evidence: how cultures use it, not proof that it works.

  • Mediterranean

    Slow-cooked tomato sauce is a pillar of everyday cooking.

  • India

    Tomato rasam and tomato soups are served to people feeling under the weather.

What the research says

Each claim graded on its own evidence.

  • Lycopene and prostate cancer

    Evidence level: Limited or early evidence

    A Cochrane review found only three small trials and concluded there is insufficient evidence to support or refute lycopene for prostate cancer.[1]

  • Vegetables in a healthy diet

    Evidence level: Strong evidence

    Tomatoes count towards the WHO recommendation of at least 400 g of fruit and vegetables a day.[2]

In food amounts

A couple of fresh tomatoes, a tin in a sauce, or a spoon of paste.

We describe everyday cooking amounts only, never supplement doses.

Safety

Health conditions
Tomatoes are acidic and can trigger heartburn in some people.

If you take regular medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are cooking for a baby or someone who is unwell, check with a doctor, pharmacist or midwife before using any food or supplement for a health reason.

Sources

  1. [1] Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer (Ilic, Forbes, Hassed) — Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 2011
  2. [2] Healthy diet — fact sheet — World Health Organization

Sources were checked when this entry was written. Research changes; if you spot something out of date, please tell us.

Cook with tomato

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