A recent FDA review has found no strong link between eating tomatoes and a decreased risk of cancer.

The review has found no evidence for an association between eating tomatoes and a decreased risk of lung, colorectal, breast, cervical or endometrial cancer. The review did find limited evidence for an association between tomato consumption and reduced risk of prostate, ovarian, gastric and pancreatic cancer. Based on this assessment, the FDA will allow a limited association on products for these four cancers only.

In an editorial related to the review, Edward Giovannucci, M.D., Sc.D., of the Harvard School of Public Health in Boston suggests that the use of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) screening may influence the data on the association between tomato and lycopene consumption and prostate cancer risk.

Giovannucci states, "Although it may be premature to espouse increased consumption of tomato sauce or lycopene for prostate cancer prevention, this area of research remains promising."

Tomatoes surely remain in the 'good' food category, (well, a nice, ripe, in-season tomato anyway, as far as taste goes). However, it is good to see the FDA review the evidence available to ensure that consumers aren't being swayed by health claims that don't hold up to scientific scrutiny.

Eating an orange every day can not only boost your vitamin C but it can help get rid of a strain of the H. pylori bacteria that causes peptic ulcers and can lead to stomach cancer. Researchers in San Francisco found that infected people with high levels of vitamin C in their blood were less likely to test positive for the cancer causing strain. Here is a delicious, colorful, and healthy salad to serve your family. Remember to always buy organic when available.

Vicki's Citrus/Dijon Salad Dressing
4 tbsp. Orange juice
1 1/2 tbsp. Olive oil
1 tbsp. Lime juice
1 tbsp. Honey
1 tsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Pepper
Whisk together to make citrus salad dressing

Vicki's Orange and Avocado Salad
1/2 of a 10 oz. bag of mixed salad greens
1/2 of a 10 oz. bag baby spinach
1 Ripe avocado, peeled, seeded, and diced
2 Oranges peeled, seeded, and cut into slices
1 Cup grape tomatoes
1/2 Cup shredded carrots
3 Green onions, thinly sliced
1/4 cup raw sunflower seeds
Mix ingredients and toss in a large bowl then drizzle with the citrus salad dressing.
Serves 4.

First, it seemed eating lycopene-rich tomatoes offered protection against prostate cancer. Now it seems this is not so true. In fact, researchers have found an association between an increased risk of aggressive prostate cancer and beta carotene, an antioxidant related to lycopene.

Lycopene seemed for a short time to be a quick and easy fix for men trying to lower their prostate cancer risk. Yet studies are failing to show any significant differences in blood lycopene levels between men who develop the disease and those who do not.

The largest study to yield these results investigated the role of blood levels of lycopene and other antioxidants in the prevention of prostate cancer. It was an unexpected turn of events that led researchers to the link between the most aggressive cancers and antioxidants found in many vegetables. While the observation may be due to chance, beta carotene is known to increase risk of lung cancer and heart disease in smokers and may be worth a bit more study.

Tomato fruits (yes, they are not vegetables) contain lycopene, a pigment and phytochemical that is extremely healthy and can even be found in higher-end nutritional supplements and holistic cancer-preventing compounds. Is it really that good?

From all I've read, yes it is. Just like blueberries, tomatoes are excellent and natural ways to help ward off cancer while being tasty and ultimately nutritious at the same time.

Guys -- you'll be glad to know that lycopene has been demonstrated to be particularly effective at protecting men from prostate cancer. In addition to saw palmetto, perhaps tomatoes should be a daily part of your diet? Slice one on a few halves of whole-grain wheat bread (without sweeteners) and it makes a very tasty meal. Zing it up with some spicy mustard, and you've got one of my favorite snacks.

Update: this link gives an opposite view on the effects of lycopene -- which should we believe? No wonder there is mass confusion on cancer. (Thanks, hchcec)

Green peas are bursting with nutrients. They provide very good amounts vitamin K, vitamin C, vitamin B1 or thiamine, vitamin A vitamin B6, B3, and B2 and lots if dietary fiber, manganese, folate, phosphorus, magnesium, copper, iron, zinc and potassium. Green peas are that little food that is supercharged with nutritional and can supercharge your health.

Green peas are one of the important foods to include in your diet if you oftentimes feel fatigued and sluggish. That is because they provide nutrients that help support the energy-producing cells and systems of the body. They provide nutrients that are important for maintaining bone health. With its great source for iron green peas build normal blood cell formation and function. Low amounts of iron can result in anemia, fatigue, decreased immune function, and learning problems.

Vicki's Green Pea Salad
2 cups fresh green peas. (You can substitute with a 16 ounce package of frozen green peas. Rinse and thaw them for use in the salad.)
1 cup chopped fresh cauliflower ( make sure pieces are chopped about the same size as the peas.)
1 - 8 ounce can sliced water chestnuts (drain and rinse thoroughly and cut into strips)
1 - 8 ounce container sweet grape tomatoes or cherry tomatoes sliced in half
1/2 onion minced
1/2 cup chopped celery
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 teaspoon dry dill

Whisk together the lemon juice, dill, and mayonnaise.
In large bowl mix all of the vegetables. Pour in the mayo and dill dressing and toss.

Parsley is full of flavonoids which is a powerful chemical that aids in the prevention of cancer and can also fight heart disease. Eating parsley may reduce your risk of hormone related breast and prostate cancers. Sometimes cooking vegetables can take out important vitamin c which combats cancer so by sprinkling raw parsley of foods right before you eat them will give you a natural vitamin c boost and also give you antioxidants and flavonoids.

I love couscous as a side dish or as a chilled salad. Adding parsley, alfalfa sprouts, and minced sun dried tomatoes that have been soaked in olive oil is my favorite salad of all. Sun dried tomatoes pack a great tomato punch to this recipe giving you more vitamins and nutrients.

Vicki's Parsley, Sprout , and Tomato Couscous

1 cup couscous
2 1/2 cups vegetable broth
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/2 cup alfalfa sprouts
1/2 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes (that have been soaked in olive oil)
salt and pepper to taste

Bring broth and olive oil to a boil and pour in couscous. Cover and reduce heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Remove couscous from pan into a large mixing bowl and fluff with fork. Let chill in refrigerator for an hour. Stir in parsley, alfalfa sprouts, and sun dried tomatoes. Salt and pepper to taste. This dish is great and will keep in the refrigerator for up to three days.

Onions are one of the richest sources of flavonoids in the human diet and red onions are a variety that is more naturally higher in these anti-cancer chemicals. Adding a variety of onions and shallots to the diet can help in inhibiting liver and colon cancer cell growth as well as other types of cancers and gives you a good source of vitamins and nutrients. Here is a simple to make but full of flavor red onion salad that includes other ingredients also known to aid in the fight against cancer through diet.

Vicki's Red Onion Salad
1 red onion (cut in half and slice thinly)
1 cucumber (peeled and cut into thin slices)
2 Large Tomatoes (cut into wedges)
1 cup thinly sliced daikon radish
1/4 cup olive oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon minced garlic
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro finely chopped

Combine all vegetables in a bowl and toss. In a small bowl whisk the oils, vinegar, garlic and cilantro together and pour over salad ingredients and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving to let the dressing soak in. Toss again lightly before serving individual portions. Serves 4 to 6.

In 2003, a study was published in the International Journal of Cancer which reported that eating pizza, one of the typical foods on the Mediterranean diet menu, was linked to lower rates of stomach and colon cancers. Conversely, pizza crust is made with refined carbohydrates, and refined carbs have been linked to higher rates of colorectal cancer. But the researchers suggested that the other ingredients that go into the making of pizza, like olive oil and tomatoes, offset the adverse influence refined carbohydrates present to cancer prevention. And researchers pointed out, when talking about pizza, they are referring to the authentically Italian pizza, with a thin crust and touch of olive oil. The toppings include generous amounts of pizza sauce made with cooked tomatoes, olive oil, herbs and spices. When it comes to the cheese, use sparingly, not generously, or consider substituting an animal-free soya alternative to cheese. Interested in creating a cancer prevention pizza? Following is a list of some toppings known for their power to prevent cancer:

Tesco, a grocery-chain in Sussex, England, has announced it will be selling a new tomato which they claim contains up to twice the normal level of lycopene when compared to tomatoes available in the grocer's produce now. According to Tesco claims, the new variety was created naturally by crossing varieties with high lycopene levels. Lycopene, an antioxidant, is thought to be an effective cancer prevention antioxidant for men's prostate health.

Dr Chris Hiley, at The Prostate Cancer Charity, said in response to the availability of the new tomatoes, "We also advise men to eat a diet containing plenty of fruit and vegetables, to reduce their intake of animal fat, particularly red meat, and, of course, to keep their weight under control."