New antioxidant-rich tomato ‘may help prevent cancer’

A TOMATO containing high levels of an antioxidant that may cut the risk of prostate cancer is being launched today by supermarket giant Tesco in Britain.

Tesco says its new “healthy living” tomato contains roughly a third more lycopene than other varieties also sold on the vine.

Its launch is part of the chain’s move into “functional foods”, which are developed to have added health benefits.

The new variety was bred in Holland using different tomato types with high lycopene levels. It was then grown in greenhouses by a specialist grower based near Chichester, West Sussex.

A Tesco spokesperson said lycopene had recently been linked with a potential reduction in the risk of prostate cancer.

Ian Reed, the chain’s produce technical manager, said: “This is the first step for Tesco into the developing world of functional foods and we plan to extend our range as public interest grows.”

Tesco said tomatoes sold on the vine generally had higher lycopene levels than normal tomatoes.

Dr Chris Hiley, head of policy and research for the Prostate Cancer Charity, said the effect of lycopene on prostate cancer had been subject to scientific studies, but added: “We still can’t come to a firm conclusion that the risk of prostate cancer is reduced by increasing lycopene intake, but it is very clear that men should eat a varied and healthy diet, and tomato and tomato-based products have a place in that.”