Super Tomatoes 超級西紅柿

By Duncan Kennedy, Rome

媒體英語會帶大家一起學習BBC撰稿人在報道世界大事時常用到的單詞和短語。

Background:意大利農民展示了一種據說能減慢衰老過程的正方形西紅柿。農民協會說，這種西紅柿含有大量的能減少人體細胞損傷的自然元素。

The new tomato was grown without genetic modification in the regions of Emilia Romagna and Lombardy.

Italy's Farmers Union, which organised its public launch, said the tomato is full of lyco-pene - a red pigment that contains antioxidants.

They are strong neutralisers of the free radicals in the body which can damage human cells.

The union says the tomato could help slow the ageing process and may also be effective in preventing some cancers and heart disease.

A number of other scientific studies have pointed to the therapeutic benefits of lyco-pene.

One British supermarket chain has already marketed its own brand of what are now known as super tomatoes.