You’ve heard of tomato fights in Europe. Once a year in Spain, 240, 000 pounds of cheery red tomatoes are thrown on the streets. An estimated 30,000 people descend In Bunol at the sunny Valencia region to celebrate the festival of tomatoes. In a spirit of merry making, people throw tomatoes at each other. Definitely, it’s the biggest food fight in the world! Imagine the spectacle and smell of squished and smashed tomatoes with the rich red pigment splattered everywhere. It looks like a lot of waste. It looks like a battleground too.

What if you direct your tomato fight at cancer? Not just once a year but every day of the year.

How much is the Daily Requirement

According to experts a minimum of ½ cup is all you need to fight that monster. But cups vary in sizes. There are tiny cups and there are huge cups. If you haven’t got a standard measuring cup it’s really hard to estimate. How about a heart size? How do you know the volume of your heart when you have no idea how large your heart is? So, ok, it really is difficult to estimate. Well, a fist sized serving can do the trick. Your fist would tell you to combat cancer with a fistful of tomatoes. Not bad! It’s an easy and simple reminder.

Cancer Research

Cancer research revealed a low risk of prostate, oral, pharynx and larynx cancers with daily intake of tomatoes. Lycopene – that bright merry red pigment – is the major anti-cancer phytochemical in the tomato. As you may have observed, that red pigment is present in the tomato pulp and peel. Lycopene is highly soluble in oil. The addition of oil- such as extra virgin olive- can help lycopene cross into your blood stream.

You’ll find lycopene food supplements in capsule or tablet forms. But I warn you, it isn’t as effective as eating the naturally occurring lycopene from tomatoes. Studies reveal that lycopene works well as an anti-carcinogen when eaten with other chemicals in the tomato. Thus, it is wise to consume the tomato instead of a supplement.

Bottom line

But, eating tomatoes alone cannot do the job of fighting cancer. Incorporate tomatoes as one of the 5 and 10 fruits and veggies you should consume daily. Apart from its versatility in cooking, tomatoes are available fresh the whole year round.

Eat a fistful of tomatoes and add some punch to your battle against cancer.