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Tomato juice can prevent lung disease, scientists say
Jan 16, 2006, 2:19 GMT
Washington - Tomato juice may help prevent emphysema, a dangerous lung disease connected to smoking, scientists say.
In a trial on mice exposed to cigarette smoke, Japanese scientists found that smoke-induced emphysema was 'completely prevented' by feeding the animals tomato juice, according to a study published in the American Journal of Physiology-Lung Cellular and Molecular Physiology.
The researchers attribute the protective effect to lycopene, a potent antioxidant contained in tomatoes, the study said.
Emphysema prevents the lungs from working properly, resulting in breathlessness and wheezing.
In the United States alone, more than 3 million people suffer from emphysema, of whom more than 15,000 die every year, according to the National Centre for Health Statistics.
© 2006 dpa - Deutsche Presse-AgenturCOMMENT
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