8 of the Best Anti-Cancer Foods. It’s Time to Start Adding them to Your Diet

6. Lycopene-Rich Foods

Foods rich in lycopene with text Lycopene. Natural food sources of lycopene: tomato, grapefruit, pomegranate, red bell pepper, mango, red onion, cherries and carrot. Health care concept.
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There is a growing body of research to suggest that consuming  foods rich in lycopene can lower your risk for certain types of  cancer, particularly prostate cancer [17]. Lycopenes are a type of antioxidant in the carotenoid family that gives tomatoes,  watermelons, and grapefruits their red and pink colors. As a whole, carotenoids have been associated with a lower risk of lung and colorectal cancer [18]. Tomatoes*, guava, watermelon, papaya, grapefruit, and cooked red peppers are all good sources of lycopene.

*Note: Lycopene is actually more concentrated in processed tomato products like sauces, and pastes, and is not degraded by the cooking.