Scientists Have Discovered An Unexpected Property Of Tomatoes
- 14.09.2026, 13:18
Whole-fruit extract can inhibit the growth of cancer cells.
Tomatoes can trigger processes in the body that may play an important role in fighting a life-threatening disease, according to "Cursor".
Ordinary tomatoes may contain substances capable of influencing processes associated with the development of stomach cancer. However, this is not yet a proven method of preventing or treating the disease in humans: the antitumor properties of tomatoes have been studied in laboratory conditions.
Italian scientists studied extracts from whole tomatoes and found that their effect on tumor cells cannot be explained solely by lycopene—one of the most well-known components of tomatoes. The result turned out to be linked to the combination of substances contained in the fruit.
What Happened to the Cancer Cells
During the experiments, extracts from certain tomato varieties slowed the ability of stomach cancer cells to multiply and spread.
The researchers also discovered changes in the cell cycle. These changes involved, among other things, proteins of the retinoblastoma family, which play a role in regulating cell division. At the same time, apoptosis mechanisms—the natural process of programmed death of damaged or unnecessary cells—were activated.
It is precisely this combination of effects that is considered one of the possible explanations for the observed antitumor activity.
It turned out to be more than just lycopene
The result is significant for another reason as well. Tomatoes are often associated with potential health benefits primarily due to lycopene—a plant pigment with antioxidant properties.
However, laboratory data suggest that attempting to isolate a single “key” beneficial compound may oversimplify the picture. Various compounds in the whole food can interact with one another and produce an effect that cannot be achieved with a single component.
In addition, effectiveness varied depending on the tomato variety, suggesting that their chemical composition may play a role.
Tomatoes Cannot Yet Be Considered a Cure for Cancer
The results do not mean that eating tomatoes can cure stomach cancer or guarantee its prevention. The in vitro effect of the extract directly on cancer cells differs significantly from what occurs after a person consumes the product.
The next step should be to further study the discovered mechanism and verify whether the effect persists under more complex biological conditions.