EON

Toronto – You can eat a tomato to enjoy its taste but don’t expect it to help prevent cancer.

An FDA review of several studies that looked at the relationship between tomatoes and cancer prevention found there is not enough evidence to claim the red fruit prevents most cancers. They also found supplements containing the antioxidant lycopene, which gives tomatoes their red hue, did not prevent cancer either.

There was a slight benefit seen for prostate, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancer – but researchers claim the evidence is limited.

The study is published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.