Tomatoes currently top the superfood list as a never-ending stream of studies confirm the health benefits of the plant nutrient called lycopene which gives tomatoes their distinctive red colour.
The natural chemical appears to have protective effects against some cancers, and research earlier this year has shown that lycopene could reduce expansion of the prostate – a condition very common in men in later life.
You get more lycopene from processed tomatoes than fresh, so enjoy a drink of tomato juice (25 mg of lycopene a glass) and add tomato paste to sauces, soups and stews (7 mg per tablespoon). You can also boost lycopene absorption by adding a little olive oil to the cooking process.