Eating tomatoes and broccoli in the same meal could help men to fight prostate cancer.

A study suggests that when they are both present in a regular diet, the two foods — known for their cancer-fighting qualities — help to reduce tumours more effectively than when they are eaten separately.

Prostate cancer is the most common male cancer in Britain, accounting for almost one in four cancers in men. Each year about 32,000 cases are diagnosed and more than 10,000 men die from it.

Researchers from the University of Illinois believe that different compounds in the vegetables can work together to attack cancer cells along different biological pathways. They suggest that men should regularly consume servings of up to three quarters of a head of raw broccoli and two to three tomatoes to help fight the disease.

John Erdman, Professor of Food Science and Human Nutrition at the university, said that men should consider consuming three to five such servings a week. “Studies have shown that men who regularly eat servings of fresh tomatoes have up to a 40 per cent reduced risk of developing prostate cancer, while the sulphur compounds in broccoli are known to be a mechanism that delays cancer growth.They are quite different agents, and do not have to be eaten together, but their effects seem to be very complementary.”

In a study published in the American journal Cancer Research, the scientists fed a diet containing 10 per cent tomato powder and 10 per cent broccoli powder to rats implanted with prostate cancer cells.

Other rats received either tomato or broccoli powder alone; or lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes thought to be an effective cancer-preventive agent; or finasteride, a drug prescribed for men with enlarged prostates. Another group was castrated. After 22 weeks, the rats given tomato and broccoli in combination were found to have smaller tumours.

Professor Erdman said: “When eaten together, we see an additive effect. Cooked tomatoes may be better than raw tomatoes. The lesson is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables prepared in a variety of ways.”

Julie Sharp, of Cancer Research UK, said that effects on humans were still unclear. “We do know that a balanced diet can help to reduce the risk of cancer and should include fresh vegetables and fruit.”

A recipe for good health

Serves four

1kg (2¼lb) sprouting broccoli, cut into florets
3 tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
100g (3oz) bottarga (dried grey mullet or tuna roe)
Juice of 1 lemon, strained
1 garlic clove, chopped
1 fresh flat-leaf parsley sprig, chopped
8 fresh basil leaves, torn
olive oil, for drizzling
salt and pepper
thin lemon slices, to garnish

Cook broccoli in salted, boiling water for 15min, then drain and leave to cool

Pound bottarga in a mortar with lemon juice, then pound in the garlic, parsley, basil and tomatoes

Season with salt and pepper and, when sauce is fairly thick, drizzle with olive oil. Mix well and pour into a sauce boat

Place broccoli on warm serving dish, garnish with lemon and serve with sauce

Source: The Silver Spoon Italian Cookbook, Phaidon Press, 2005

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