According to a new research, tomatoes could protect males against prostate cancer.

Researchers at the University of Naples suggested that daily intake of tomatoes could defend men against prostate cancer.

Moreover, the regular consumption also slows down the growth of a tumour in an existing patient of prostate cancer.

The research that comprising mice bred to be genetically susceptible to cancer showed those fed a daily diet rich in tomato extracts were less likely to fall have the problem, and lived longer if they did.

The findings are the latest in a long line of studies looking at whether tomatoes can combat the disease.

There have been conflicting results with some suggesting benefits and some none at all.

In the latest, scientists studied mice that had been bred to be at risk of prostate cancer.

The researchers also equated the outcomes of mice those had a normal diet with mice given at least 10% of their food in the form of a powder made from cherry tomatoes.

The mice on tomato diet showed lower chances of cancer and lived longer as compared to other mice.

The results of the research appeared in the journal Cancer Prevention Research. (With Inputs From Agencies)