Why tomatoes might help your heart
Lycopene and Its Antioxidant Role in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases—A Critical Review
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Lycopene’s strongest evidence comes from observational studies in men—not randomized trials.
Most people assume heart health claims are backed by drug-style trials, but this review admits there are zero randomized controlled trials proving lycopene prevents heart disease.
Practical Takeaways
Add 1–2 servings of cooked tomatoes (sauce, paste, or soup) daily—cooking increases lycopene absorption by up to 5x.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Surprising Findings
Lycopene’s strongest evidence comes from observational studies in men—not randomized trials.
Most people assume heart health claims are backed by drug-style trials, but this review admits there are zero randomized controlled trials proving lycopene prevents heart disease.
Practical Takeaways
Add 1–2 servings of cooked tomatoes (sauce, paste, or soup) daily—cooking increases lycopene absorption by up to 5x.
Publication
Journal
Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition
Year
2016
Authors
L. Müller, C. Caris‐Veyrat, Gordon Lowe, V. Böhm
Related Content
Claims (5)
Men over 60 who have more lycopene (a red pigment in tomatoes) in their blood tend to have thinner artery walls, which might mean their arteries are less clogged up — so eating more tomatoes could help keep their heart healthy.
Eating foods rich in lycopene, like tomatoes, may help protect your blood vessels by mopping up harmful molecules that cause damage, which could keep plaque from building up in your arteries.
Lycopene, a red pigment found in tomatoes, might help stop immune cells from turning into fatty 'foam cells' that clog arteries—by slowing down how much cholesterol the cells make and reducing the receptors that suck up bad fats.
Lycopene, the red pigment in tomatoes, is better than other similar plant compounds at neutralizing harmful molecules called singlet oxygen and peroxyl radicals in test tubes — making it the top carotenoid antioxidant in lab settings.
Men who eat more lycopene—found in tomatoes and other red fruits—tend to have a lower chance of having a stroke caused by a blocked blood vessel in the brain.