Two cancer-preventing foods that contain lycopene

Shitake mushrooms are mushrooms that originate from Asia and grow in forests. This mushroom occupies the second position as a fungus that is often cultivated in the world for certain purposes. One of the reasons why shitake mushrooms are cultivated is because these mushrooms can be a cancer-fighting food. In addition to shitake mushrooms, there are also tomatoes that can prevent cancer. Is it true?

Two cancer-fighting foods

Shitake mushrooms are mushrooms that contain lycopene, this is a compound that gives tomatoes and other vegetables their red color. Lycopene is a fat-soluble nutrient, so the oil in tomato sauce is thought to help the absorption of lycopene in the body.

There are several studies that say that eating shitake mushrooms and tomatoes can be cancer-preventing foods. Is this claim true?

Research on shitakes

Shitake mushrooms are known to fight growth and as a cancer-fighting food, as well as to boost the immune system. These mushrooms can also prevent heart disease, lower cholesterol levels, and help treat infections such as hepatitis. In addition, shitake mushrooms also contain interferon and natural proteins that can stop viruses and contain compounds that are beneficial to health. The lentinan compounds contained in shitake mushrooms are believed to stop and inhibit tumor growth.

Other components can reduce tumor activity and reduce the side effects of cancer treatment. Shitake mushrooms also contain erythadenine compounds which are thought to reduce cholesterol in the body by blocking cholesterol when cholesterol is absorbed into the bloodstream. Opinions and conjectures on the benefits and effects of this mushroom are still being studied.

Research conducted on animals to determine the benefits of shitake mushrooms has shown positive results, namely shitake mushrooms are anti-cancer, contain low cholesterol, and are able to inhibit viruses. Human studies have shown that shitake mushrooms are beneficial for prolonging the life of patients with gastrointestinal cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy.

Several cancer-fighting potentials are found in shitake mushrooms and they are being refined and researched as a treatment for gastrointestinal cancer. It is not known whether the supplements for shitake mushrooms and shitake mushrooms in supermarkets have the same benefits as fresh shitake mushrooms. Clinical trials are also still examining the extent to which shitake mushrooms are beneficial to health and can prevent cancer.

Then, is it true that tomatoes that contain lycopene can also prevent cancer?

Research shows that tomatoes can reduce pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer, oral cancer, and prostate cancer. Consumption of high amounts of gumenoids has benefits for reducing the number of cancers in the body including lung, stomach, cervical, breast, pancreatic, colon, rectum, and esophageal cancer. However, the evidence showing a direct link between tomatoes and protection against this cancer has not been proven.

The strongest evidence is shown by the protection that lycopene provides against lung, stomach and prostate cancer. lycopene can also help protect the body from cervical, breast, mouth, pancreatic, esophageal, colon and rectum cancers.

Several observational epidemiological studies have found that cancer-preventing foods that are high in lycopene can reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but this benefit does not apply to processed tomato products.

Several experiments conducted on animals have shown that lycopene is able to prevent and treat cancer. Long-term intake of lycopene also suppressed the growth of breast cancer in mice. Unfortunately, breast cancer that attacks humans is not the same as that affecting mice, and the benefits to humans are not the same as those in mice.

Problems or complications that may occur due to lycopene

Some people experience diarrhea and bloating after eating shitake mushrooms, although this is very rare. People who are allergic to shitake mushrooms can experience harmful effects on the skin, nose, throat and lungs.

Lycopene can be obtained from fruit and vegetables, and has no side effects so it is considered safe for humans. While the side effects of lycopene supplements are not fully known. Patients who take tomato supplements and are rich in lycopene in the amount of more than fifteen milligrams will experience several side effects on the intestines such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, and bloating. When the supplement is taken long term and in large quantities, it will cause orange skin.

Supplements that contain antioxidants such as lycopene can interfere with radiation therapy and chemotherapy if taken during cancer treatment. Although research into this disorder caused by lycopene has not been done in people who are undergoing treatment, its antioxidants are known to prevent the harmful effects of free radicals. This lycopene interferes with the chemotherapy process in destroying cancer cells. However, consuming fruits and vegetables that contain high antioxidants is considered safe during treatment. Consult your doctor first if you want to consume supplements that contain lycopene.