As women age their risk of developing breast cancer increases. Postmenopausal women also increase their risk of breast cancer as their BMI (Body Mass Index) rises. So maintaining a healthy weight is an important step for women to help lower their risk of this deadly disease.
Diet also plays a big role as researchers have recently found. According to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, women who consume tomatoes, which are rich in the antioxidant lycopene, are at a lower risk of developing breast cancer.
Researchers found that women who consumed a tomato-rich diet for 10 weeks had a 9% increase in adiponectin levels, which is a hormone that plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels and fat. Low levels of this hormone has been linked to increased risk of obesity and insulin resistance. Eating a nutritious well-balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, which are loaded with phytochemicals
such as lycopene has numerous health benefits including reduction in BMI and the risk of breast cancer. Watermelon also contains high levels of this potent antioxidant.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lisa Guy – Art of Healing
Naturopath and homeopath runs successful practice Art of Healing specializing in mothers and babies, weekly resident editor of Body & Soul.
Lisa Guy is a highly qualified Sydney based naturopath and author, with 10 years of clinical experience. Lisa runs a busy naturopathic clinic in Double Bay called ‘Art of Healing’. Lisa is passionate about helping people achieve optimal health and wellbeing, through good wholesome foods, nutritional supplementation, healing herbs and homeopathic remedies. Being a mum of two, Lisa has a particular interest in supporting women through pregnancy and beyond, and for children’s health and nutrition. Lisa is also the author of ‘My Goodness: all you need to know about children’s health and nutrition’, ‘Heal Yourself’, and ‘Pregnancy Essentials’. Lisa is an avid health writer, being the resident nutritionist for Body and Soul magazine, and regularly writing for a number of health and natural parenting magazines and websites.