Tomatoes are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer.

the verdict

REFUTED

the evidence says no

Recorded sources

0 sources for · 4 against

Counts group repeated records of the same source within each side. They do not measure evidence strength or source independence.

Is it true that tomatoes are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer?

No. Evidence from multiple prospective studies and meta-analyses refutes the claim that tomatoes increase prostate cancer risk, instead indicating either a neutral effect or a potential protective association linked to lycopene.

Verdict: REFUTED · 0 sources for, 4 against · Last checked 4 Aug 2026

The analysis

The claim states that tomatoes are associated with an increased risk of prostate cancer. The vast majority of epidemiological evidence and meta-analyses (such as [0], [1], [2], and [9]) evaluate tomato and lycopene intake and consistently find either no association or a protective (inverse) association regarding prostate cancer, directly refuting the claim.

Evidence against · 4

The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.

2004

Meta-analysis of observational studies indicates that high intake of tomato products is associated with a modest reduction in prostate cancer risk.

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Etminan, M., Takkouche, B., & Caamaño-Isorna, F. (2004). The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.340.13.3

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More against · 3

A Prospective Study of Lycopene and Tomato Product Intake and Risk of Prostate Cancer

2006

Prospective study examining lycopene and tomato product intake finds no evidence that consumption increases prostate cancer risk.

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Kirsh, V. A., Mayne, S. T., Peters, U., Chatterjee, N., Leitzmann, M. F., Dixon, L. B., Urban, D. A., Crawford, E. D., & Hayes, R. B. (2006). A Prospective Study of Lycopene and Tomato Product Intake and Risk of Prostate Cancer. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-05-0563

Serum Lycopene Concentration and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial

2011

Nested case-control study shows no positive association between serum lycopene concentrations and prostate cancer risk, refuting early claims of harm or strong benefit.

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Kristal, A. R., Till, C., Platz, E. A., Song, X., King, I. B., Neuhouser, M. L., Ambrosone, C. B., & Thompson, I. M. (2011). Serum Lycopene Concentration and Prostate Cancer Risk: Results from the Prostate Cancer Prevention Trial. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1158/1055-9965.epi-10-1221

Lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk in men at high cardiovascular risk: a prospective cohort study.

2025

Prospective cohort study demonstrates that higher lycopene intake is associated with a significantly lower incidence of prostate cancer.

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R, L., S, C., C, D., M, C., C, A., MÁ, M., J, S., JV, S., L, S., M, F., X, P., M, F., J, L., E, G., E, T., JB, R., N, B., R, E., E, R., & RM, L. (2025). Lycopene intake and prostate cancer risk in men at high cardiovascular risk: a prospective cohort study.. doi.org. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12916-025-04440-0

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What does the evidence say?

Receipt History

first checked04 Aug 2026

judged → REFUTED · 1604 Aug 2026

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