Nutrition researchers from the Harvard School of Public Health have determined from a 20-year study with male health professionals that those with the highest intake of carotenes had a significantly reduced risk for developing colon cancer during the study period.
The researchers found that beta carotene, lycopene, and lutein all offered protection. The risk reduction for beta carotene was 22%, lycopene 18%, and lutein 14%.
The results show that having carotenes of various types in the digestive tract offers a level of protection to the tissues of the digestive tract. This study once again speaks to the importance of good nutrition in the prevention of disease.