Fighting cancer may be as simple as adding organic ketchup to
your diet. This is because organic versions of ketchup contain the
highest levels of the cancer-fighting chemical lycopene, which is
also the pigment that makes tomatoes red, according to studies.
In fact, organic brands were found to contain three times as much
lycopene as non-organic brands.
Based on a study that tested lycopene
levels and antioxidant activity in 13 commercial ketchup sources
-- six popular ones, three organic, two store brands and two from
fast-food chains -- researchers found:
- Organic brands excelled; one brand contained at much as 183
micrograms of lycopene per gram of ketchup
- Non-organic brands averaged 100 micrograms per gram
- One fast-food brand contained a mere 60 micrograms per gram
Researchers also set out to determine if the coloring of ketchup
(available in green, purple or the traditional red) reflected levels
of lycopene. While the results of the study showed little difference
in levels between the various colors, one researcher confirmed,
"If you want high lycopene levels, the rule of thumb is to
pick the darkest red ketchup."
Cancers Lycopene Protects Against
- Breast
- Prostate
- Intestinal
- Pancreatic
Journal
of Agricultural and Food Chemistry December 29, 2004;52(26):8017-20
New
Scientist January 10, 2005
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