Improving Whole Tomato Transformation for Prostate Health: Benign Prostate Hypertrophy as an Exploratory Model

It is well-established that the beneficial properties of single phytonutrients can be better attained when they are taken with the complex of the molecules present in their natural milieu. Tomato, the fruit providing the most comprehensive complex of prostate-health-preserving micronutrients, has been shown to be superior to its single-nutrient counterparts in decreasing the incidence of age-related prostate diseases. Herein, we describe a novel tomato food supplement enriched with olive polyphenols, containing cis-lycopene concentrations far exceeding those present in industry-produced tomato commodities. The supplement, endowed with antioxidant activity comparable to that of N-acetylcysteine, significantly reduced, in experimental animals, the blood levels of prostate-cancer-promoting cytokines. In prospective, randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled studies performed on patients affected by benign prostatic hyperplasia, its uptake significantly improved urinary symptoms and quality of life. Therefore, this supplement can complement and, in some cases, be an alternative to current benign prostatic hyperplasia management. Furthermore, the product suppressed carcinogenesis in the TRAMP mouse model of human prostate cancer and interfered with prostate cancer molecular signaling. Thus, it may offer a step forward in exploring the potential of tomato consumption to delay or prevent the onset of age-related prostate diseases in high-risk individuals.

Automated summary

It is well known that multiple phytonutrients in their natural state are more effective than single nutrients alone. This study demonstrates that tomatoes, with their comprehensive array of prostate-health-preserving micronutrients, are superior to single-nutrient counterparts in reducing age-related prostate diseases. The researchers developed a tomato food supplement enriched with olive polyphenols, which contains significantly higher levels of cis-lycopene compared to industry-produced tomato products. Animal experiments showed that the supplement, with antioxidant activity comparable to N-acetylcysteine, significantly reduced levels of prostate-cancer-promoting cytokines. Clinical studies on patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia also showed improved urinary symptoms and quality of life with supplement intake. Furthermore, the supplement suppressed the development of prostate cancer in a mouse model and interfered with cancer signaling. It suggests that tomato consumption, especially in high-risk individuals, may delay or prevent age-related prostate diseases.