Question: Is it true that if you eat tomatoes it can prevent you from developing cancer?

Marianne Baker answered on 15 Jun 2010:

Hey hannahandjacob

We hear a lot of stuff in the media about how different foods give you cancer or stop you getting cancer.

Often the research these claims are based on does not actually say that!

It might be that a particular chemical that’s present (often in small quantities) in certain foods has a role in protecting cells from growing too much or causes them to grow more and therefore could prevent/cause cancer, in theory.

What is most important is simply to eat healthily; avoid processed foods, especially meat, like sausages – try to eat fresh things, fewer additives, enough fruit, vegetables etc. – just a good balance, plus keeping fit.

Worrying about whether one bit of slightly burnt toast will give you cancer or eating loads of raw red peppers because you read in the paper it’s really good for you is less likely to be useful!