citrus fruits tomato ascorbic acid bioflavenoid breast cancer chronic degenerative diseases "Naringenin 'in cooked tomatoes]...exerts multiple biological effects... This bioflavenoid exhibits anti-estrogenic activity that may be responsible for the decreased incidence of breast cancer in women...'who consume them.] 'They] could 'also] exert cholesterol-lowering properties...

"Furthermore, naringenin seems to affect different oxidative processes associated with chronic degenerative diseases. 'Among other benefits, it inhibits harmful oxidant processes induced...by ascorbic acid. Naringenin may 'increase]...the primary enzyme involved in the metabolism of many 'harmful chemicals] such as drugs, carcinogens and environmental pollutants.

"The main sources of naringenin are citrus fruits and tomato...

"In conclusion, our study 'tested and] demonstrated naringenin absorption from cooked tomato paste in men. Furthermore, because a recent study showed that lycopene 'in tomatoes] administered with some polyphenols enhances its antioxidant properties, our results support the hypothesis that tomato benefits could be attributed to a positive synergistic action...among lycopene and other ...constituents, such as naringenin, rather than to only lycopene properties." Emphases were added.

DETAILS: This is further backing for the conclusion that whole foods are superior to individual nutrients extracted from them. Pasta sauce, especially when made with no salt added, and containing some fat (usually the case,) is an excellent food. Lycopene, as shown in prior reports is more easily utilized by the body when accompanied by some fat. Further, of course, it is cooked, which also enhances its nutritive value.

MORE DETAILS: Please note the mention of "ascorbic acid." That is vitamin C. One can take too much of anything, including water. Its called drowning :-) The current sales push for massive doses of vitamin C could be characterized as commercial as well as nutritional excess. The popular 1000 milligram (mg.) pill is over the top. Dr. Linda Chen, the world's leading expert on vitamin C, and the Head of the Ph.D. Program in Nutrition at Kentucky U., cautions against such intakes, and told us that 1000 is high. She prefers breaking the dosage up, say 250 mg. at a time (or less.)

A Food That May Reduce Incidence of Breast Cancer and Degenerative Diseases plus Neutralize Carcinogens Bibliography

Rugianesi, Catasta, Spigno., et al., Antioxidant Res. Lab., Nat. Inst. for Food and Nutrition Res., 546-00178 Rome, Italy, in The Journal of Nutrition, vol. 132, 2002. The Journal of Nutrition is the Official Publication of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences.