最新研究顛覆你的認識：番茄不能保護前列腺。先前的研究表明平時多吃番茄，則是保護前列腺簡便有效的方法。 國外的一項健康調查結果表明，每周吃10份番茄食物的人發病率下降了50％。但是最新的研究卻讓人大跌眼鏡，番茄不能保護前列腺。另外，胡蘿卜素反而會增加患病的風險。研究建議，不要把自己的健康建立在某一種水果上，要多吃水果蔬菜，但是最好不要大劑量的補充維生素，尤其是胡蘿卜素。

    LOS ANGELES, May 19 (Xinhua)---Contrary to popular opinion, lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, does not help prevent prostate cancer, a new study has found. 

    The new findings by researchers at the U.S. Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center (FHCRC) contradict a long-held theory that touts lycopene as a magic bullet for prostate cancer, according to the May issue of the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention. 

    In fact, a higher intake of beta-carotene, another antioxidant found in many vegetables and commonly used as a dietary supplement, appears to increase the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. 

    Researchers enrolled 28,000 men in the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial and collected data accordingly. All of the men had no prior history of prostate cancer. 

    They were screened for the disease at the start of the trial in 1993, and then followed with regular screening until the first occurrence of prostate cancer or death by the end of the trial in 2001. 

    During the course of the trial, 1,320 prostate cancer cases were diagnosed. The team found no significant difference in blood levels of lycopene between men who had prostate cancer and those who didn't. 

    In fact, they found an association between increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and a higher intake of beta-carotene. 

    Beta-carotene has also been linked to an increased risk of lung cancer and heart disease among smokers, according to the findings. 

    The new study "hampers our enthusiasm for the beneficial effect of lycopene," said lead author Ulrike Peters, a research assistant professor at the FHCRC. 

    "Tomatoes, and tomato found in ketchup and pizza, don't reduce the risk of prostate cancer," she added. 

    "People should be very cautious about taking high doses of supplemental beta-carotene," she said. 

    To live an active, healthy lifestyle is the best strategy for preventing cancer, the study suggests. 

    To place one's faith in a particular food is not effective in preventing cancer, the study adds. 

    "Our guidelines suggest that people eat a mostly plant-based diet with a variety of vegetables and fruits," said Marji McCullough, a senior epidemiologist at the American Cancer Society.   

    "We don't recommend taking multivitamins or other supplements, especially beta-carotene supplements," she said.