Attack of the Cancer Fighting Tomatoes

That's right, the colourful little fruit (yes, it's a fruit) has been shown to pack a powerful punch against several forms of cancer. A variety of studies indicate that a diet rich in tomato based products (tomato paste, sauce, juice, soup and ketchup) can significantly reduce the risk of prostate, lung and colon cancer. Not bad for a fruit that was considered by many to be poisonous and inedible until the 19^th century.

What is the active ingredient?

The active ingredient that makes tomatoes such a formidable opponent against cancer cells is the carotenoid called lycopene. Lycopene is the natural red pigment found in tomatoes and tomato based products. The redder the tomato, the more lycopene is present.

How does lycopene fight cancer?

In the body, lycopene is deposited in the liver, lungs, prostate gland, colon and skin. Its concentration in body tissues tends to be higher than all other carotenoids. Lycopene acts as a super antioxidant by picking up free radicals in the body. Free radicals are atoms or groups of atoms with an odd number of electrons and can be formed when oxygen interacts with certain molecules. Once formed these highly reactive radicals can start a chain reaction. Their primary danger comes from the damage they can do when they react with important cellural components such as DNA, or the cell membrane. Cells may function poorly or die if this occurs.

Is there any research on the cancer fighting power of lycopene?

Although more large scale studies are needed before any definitive conclusions can be made, current research does suggest that lycopene from various tomato products is indeed associated with the lowest risk of several types of cancer.

Additional benefits

In addition to fighting cancer, the lycopene found in tomatoes has been associated with better activity in old age and a reduced risk of heart disease. A University of Maryland study found that tomatoes might protect the eyes by hampering macular degeneration, a cause of vision loss in older adults.

How do I get lycopene into my body?

The best source of lycopene intake is through eating tomato based products. This is more effective than supplementation. You will get the most lycopene through concentrates and processed products such as tomato paste, sauce, soup and canned tomatoes. Heating helps to release lycopene and adding a little light olive oil will increase absorption. Start packing your diet with more tomato based recipes and begin enjoying the cancer fighting power of the mighty tomato.

Task 1 Answer the foloowing questions:

1. What is lycopene and where is it found?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

2. Where is lycopene deposited in the body?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

3. How does lycopene act in the body?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Apart from fighting cancer, what are other benefits of lycopene in our body?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

5. How can you get the most lycopene into your body?

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

Task 2 True or False?

1. ___ Tomatoes were considered by many people to be poisonous and inedible until the 19^th century.

2. ___ The greener the tomato, the more lycopene is present.

3. ___ Lycopene acts a super antioxidant in the body.

4. ___ Lycopene pick up free radicals in the body.

5. ___ Lycopene lowers risk of several types of cancer.

6. ___ Cooling tomato products helps to release lycopene.

7. ___ Light olive oil helps increase absorption of lycopene from tomato products.

Task 3 Form new words and translate them into Polish.

1. colour ………………………………. ………………………………………………

2. significant …………………….. ………………………………………………

3. poison ………………………………. ………………………………………………

4. edible ………………………………. ………………………………………………

5. concentrate ……………………... ………………………………………………

6. react ………………………………. ………………………………………………

7. cell ………………………………. ………………………………………………

8. conclude …………………….. ………………………………………………

9. degenerate …………………….. ………………………………………………

10. effect ………………………………. ………………………………………………

11. absorp ………………………………. ………………………………………………

12. supplement ……………………... ………………………………………………

Task 4 Form collocations using the words provided: * absorption* based products* mental* vision* *radicals* intake* macular* chain* ingredients* tissues* tomatoes* odd*

1. tomato ………………………………………………..

2. lycopene ………………………………………………..

3. canned ………………………………………………..

4. increase ………………………………………………..

5. …………………. activity

6. …………………. degeneration

7. …………………. loss

8. body ………………………………………………..

9. free ………………………………………………..

10. ………………… number

11. ………………… reaction

12. active ………………………………………………..

Glossary

absorption - wchłanianie

additional - dodatkowy

adults - osoby dorosłe

associated with - kojarzony z / występujący przy /towarzyszący

benefits - korzyści

carotenoid - karotenoid

cause - przyczyna

cell - komórka

cellural components - elementy komórkowe

chain reaction - reakcja łańcuchowa

colon - okrężnica

damage - uszkodzenie

definite conclusions - ostateczne wnioski

deposit - odkładać się, gromadzić

effective - skuteczny

fighting power - siła zwalczania

free radicals - wolne rodniki

gland - guczoł

hamper - utrudniać; powstrzymywać

heating - podgrzewanie

increase - zwiększyć

indicate - wskazywać

inedible - niejadalny

intake - spożycie

interact - wejść w reakcję

large scale studies - badania na szerokÄ… skalÄ™

liver - wÄ…troba

lowered risk - obniżone ryzyko/zagrożenie

lungs - płuca

macular degeneration - zwyrodnienie plamki żółtej

mental activity - aktywność umysłowa

mighty - potężny

occur - nastąpić, mieć miejsce

odd number - liczba nieparzysta

oxygen - tlen

pick up - zbierać

poisonous - trujÄ…cy

powerful - potężny

primary - główny

processed products - produkty przetwarzane

prostate - prostata

protect - chronić

punch - uderzenie, cios

reduced risk - obniżone ryzyko/zagrożenie

release - uwolnić

significantly - znacznie

source - źródło

tissues - tkanki

tomato based recipes - `pomidorowe' przepisy

vision loss - utrata wzroku

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