Do dietary lycopene and other carotenoids protect against prostate cancer?

This study investigated the link between dietary intake of lycopene and other carotenoids, such as lutein, zeaxathin, beta-carotenoids, alpha-carotenoids, and beta-cryptoxanthin and the development of prostate cancer. Using food frequency questionnaires and face-to-face interview of the subjects, researchers collated and analyzed data on the diets of 404 healthy individuals and prostate cancer patients. The prostate cancer hazard ratios of all the participants in this study were also determined.

The team of researchers discovered that habitual consumption of generous portions of fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, spinach, watermelon, pumpkin, and citrus fruits rich in lycopene, lutein, zeaxathin, beta-carotenoids, alpha-carotenoids, and beta-cryptoxanthin diminished an individual's chances of developing prostate cancer. The findings of this study suggest that regular intake of foods high in lycopene, lutein, zeaxathin, beta-carotenoids, alpha-carotenoids, and beta-cryptoxanthin may help to inhibit the growth and development of cancerous cells and tumors in the prostate gland.