Study analysis · Natural Product Communications · 2025
Raw tomatoes beat pure lycopene in lowering cholesterol – the whole food is more powerful than the supplement.
Tomatoes, especially raw ones, can improve cholesterol levels in rats by lowering bad cholesterol and raising good cholesterol.
Overview
What the study found
The study in plain English — the bottom line, every takeaway we extracted, and what to do with them.
In simple terms
This study was done on rats, not people. It shows that giving rats tomatoes or lycopene can lower their bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. But we can't be sure it works the same way in humans until it's tested in people.
What’s the bottom line?
Scientists fed rats a high-fat diet to make them unhealthy, then gave them either pure lycopene (a substance in tomatoes), raw tomato powder, or tomato puree. They checked the rats' cholesterol levels.
How strong is this study?
The study was carefully done: they randomly split the rats into groups and made sure the people giving the food didn't know which group was which. But only 5 rats were in each group, which is very small, so the results might not be very reliable.
40 / 100
- COI disclosure+40/40
- Data availabilitydata not shared
- Code availabilitycode not shared
70 / 100
- Randomization+20/20
- Blinding+9/15
- Control group+15/15
- Sample size (n=25)+2.4/20
- Follow-up+10/10
100 / 100
46 / 100
- P-values+15/15
- Effect sizeno effect size reported
- Confidence intervals+15/15
- Pre-registrationnot pre-registered
Each component is scored out of 100 and then capped by the study design — a case series cannot reach the ceiling a randomised trial can, however well it is reported.
Where it sits
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 519 / 100
Probability of being correct
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
This design can establish causation. This is an animal study (albino rats). While the randomized controlled design can establish cause-effect relationships in rats, results cannot be directly extrapolated to humans without further clinical validation.
No Conflicts
No conflicts of interest identified
No conflicts of interest are apparent from the available text; the study appears to be an independent academic investigation.
The text includes sections for Declaration of Conflicting Interests and Funding, but their content is not visible in the excerpt. Based on the available information, no industry ties or funding sources are identified.
Key takeaways
- 01
All three treatments lowered bad cholesterol and raised good cholesterol.
- 02
Raw tomato worked best: bad cholesterol dropped to 1.40 mmol/L and good cholesterol rose to 2.46 mmol/L.
- 03
These results are important for rats, but we need human studies to know for sure if eating tomatoes helps people with high cholesterol.
Surprising findings
- Raw tomato powder was more effective than pure lycopene or tomato puree, despite having the same lycopene content.Conventional wisdom often assumes the isolated active ingredient (lycopene) is the key. This shows that the whole food matrix matters – other compounds in raw tomatoes enhance the effect.
- Rats on a high-fat diet plus tomato products actually had lower cholesterol than rats on a normal diet.One would expect treatment to only bring levels back to normal, but here tomatoes pushed cholesterol levels below the normal diet group – e.g., TC in raw tomato group was 2.40 mmol/L vs 4.14 in normal diet.
Practical takeaways
Include raw or minimally processed tomatoes in your diet – they may improve cholesterol and help manage weight.
This is a rat study; human trials are needed. Also, raw tomato consumption may not be practical for everyone – cooking can reduce some nutrients.
medium confidenceConsider whole tomato foods (like salsa, fresh tomatoes) over lycopene supplements for potential additive benefits.
The study used freeze-dried raw tomato powder; fresh tomatoes may have different bioavailability.
low confidenceWhy this study matters
Raw Tomatoes Outperform Lycopene Alone
Rats fed a high-fat diet plus raw tomato powder had the lowest total cholesterol (2.40 mmol/L) and LDL (1.40 mmol/L), and the highest HDL (2.46 mmol/L), outperforming pure lycopene and tomato puree. The TC/HDL ratio dropped to 0.97, indicating a dramatic improvement.
This suggests that whole tomatoes contain a synergistic blend of nutrients – not just lycopene – that work together to improve lipid profiles, making dietary changes more effective than supplements alone.
Tomatoes Prevent Weight Gain on a High-Fat Diet
Rats fed the high-fat diet alone gained weight (final weight 192.6 g), but those given lycopene, raw tomato, or puree maintained near-normal weights (182–183 g), similar to the control group (181.2 g).
This highlights tomatoes' potential role in weight management, which is a top concern for many people trying to eat healthier.
The Mechanism: Tomatoes Activate PPARA, a Key Fat-Burning Pathway
In silico analysis identified PPARA as the hub gene through which tomato compounds exert their lipid-lowering effects, involving PPAR signaling, adipocytokine, and thyroid hormone pathways. Top active compounds include 9-Octadecenoic acid and Cis 9-Octadecanoic acid.
This provides a molecular explanation for why tomatoes work, making the science relatable – it's like activating your body's own fat-burning switch.
Want the whole report?
Detailed mode opens the full scientific breakdown — every score component, the methodology, conflicts of interest, the evidence analysis behind each claim, and the raw study data.
Overview
What the study found
The study in plain English — the bottom line, every takeaway we extracted, and what to do with them.
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists fed rats a high-fat diet to make them unhealthy, then gave them either pure lycopene (a substance in tomatoes), raw tomato powder, or tomato puree. They checked the rats' cholesterol levels.
Research results
All three treatments lowered bad cholesterol and raised good cholesterol. Raw tomato worked best: bad cholesterol dropped to 1.40 mmol/L and good cholesterol rose to 2.46 mmol/L.
What this means - more context
These results are important for rats, but we need human studies to know for sure if eating tomatoes helps people with high cholesterol.
To determine the effects of pure lycopene, raw tomato, and tomato puree on the lipid profile of albino rats fed a high-fat diet (in vivo) and to simulate the effects in humans (in silico).
Lycopene, raw tomato powder, and tomato puree all significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and TC/HDL ratio, and increased HDL in rats. Raw tomato was most effective. In silico analysis identified PPARA as a key human target, acting through PPAR, adipocytokine, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways.
Methods Used
25 male albino Wistar rats (5 per group) fed normal diet, high-fat diet (5% tallow, 1% cholesterol, 0.02% bile salt) alone, or high-fat diet plus 0.1% pure lycopene, 24% freeze-dried raw tomato, or 24% freeze-dried tomato puree for 6 weeks. Serum lipids measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. In silico: compound-target-pathway analysis from GC-MS data, SwissTargetPrediction, STRING, Cytoscape.
Main Finding
Raw tomato powder yielded the strongest effects: TC 2.40 mmol/L, TG 1.66 mmol/L, LDL 1.40 mmol/L, HDL 2.46 mmol/L, TC/HDL 0.97. Pure lycopene and puree also significantly improved lipids vs high-fat control. In silico: PPARA is the hub gene; 9-Octadecenoic acid, Cis 9-Octadecanoic acid, Methyl cis-9-octadecenoate are top active compounds.
Confidence Level
Moderate: randomized, single-blind design; small sample (n=5/group); no human data; lack of antioxidant assays.
Study Flags
Red Flags
- •Small sample size (5 rats per group)
- •No human data, only rat and in silico
- •Lack of antioxidant assays to support mechanism
Surprising Findings
Raw tomato powder was more effective than pure lycopene or tomato puree, despite having the same lycopene content.
Conventional wisdom often assumes the isolated active ingredient (lycopene) is the key. This shows that the whole food matrix matters – other compounds in raw tomatoes enhance the effect.
Practical Takeaways
Include raw or minimally processed tomatoes in your diet – they may improve cholesterol and help manage weight.
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 519 / 100
Probability of being correct
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Animal RCT
Subject
Lower probability
on the GRADE evidence scale
This study was done on rats, not people. It shows that giving rats tomatoes or lycopene can lower their bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. But we can't be sure it works the same way in humans until it's tested in people.
No conflicts of interest were detected in this study. No score impact.
Strengths
- Randomized allocation to groups.
- Single blinding to reduce bias.
- Inclusion of negative and positive control groups.
Weaknesses
- Very small sample size (n=5 per group).
- Animal study, not human.
- No power calculation or sample size justification.
Methodology
Evidence Keywords
Statistical Reporting
Not medical advice. For informational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional. Terms
Scientists fed rats a high-fat diet to make them unhealthy, then gave them either pure lycopene (a substance in tomatoes), raw tomato powder, or tomato puree. They checked the rats' cholesterol levels.
Research results
All three treatments lowered bad cholesterol and raised good cholesterol. Raw tomato worked best: bad cholesterol dropped to 1.40 mmol/L and good cholesterol rose to 2.46 mmol/L.
What this means - more context
These results are important for rats, but we need human studies to know for sure if eating tomatoes helps people with high cholesterol.
To determine the effects of pure lycopene, raw tomato, and tomato puree on the lipid profile of albino rats fed a high-fat diet (in vivo) and to simulate the effects in humans (in silico).
Lycopene, raw tomato powder, and tomato puree all significantly reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, and TC/HDL ratio, and increased HDL in rats. Raw tomato was most effective. In silico analysis identified PPARA as a key human target, acting through PPAR, adipocytokine, and thyroid hormone signaling pathways.
Methods Used
25 male albino Wistar rats (5 per group) fed normal diet, high-fat diet (5% tallow, 1% cholesterol, 0.02% bile salt) alone, or high-fat diet plus 0.1% pure lycopene, 24% freeze-dried raw tomato, or 24% freeze-dried tomato puree for 6 weeks. Serum lipids measured by enzymatic colorimetric method. In silico: compound-target-pathway analysis from GC-MS data, SwissTargetPrediction, STRING, Cytoscape.
Main Finding
Raw tomato powder yielded the strongest effects: TC 2.40 mmol/L, TG 1.66 mmol/L, LDL 1.40 mmol/L, HDL 2.46 mmol/L, TC/HDL 0.97. Pure lycopene and puree also significantly improved lipids vs high-fat control. In silico: PPARA is the hub gene; 9-Octadecenoic acid, Cis 9-Octadecanoic acid, Methyl cis-9-octadecenoate are top active compounds.
Confidence Level
Moderate: randomized, single-blind design; small sample (n=5/group); no human data; lack of antioxidant assays.
Study Flags
Red Flags
- •Small sample size (5 rats per group)
- •No human data, only rat and in silico
- •Lack of antioxidant assays to support mechanism
Surprising Findings
Raw tomato powder was more effective than pure lycopene or tomato puree, despite having the same lycopene content.
Conventional wisdom often assumes the isolated active ingredient (lycopene) is the key. This shows that the whole food matrix matters – other compounds in raw tomatoes enhance the effect.
Practical Takeaways
Include raw or minimally processed tomatoes in your diet – they may improve cholesterol and help manage weight.
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 519 / 100
Probability of being correct
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
Animal RCT
Subject
Lower probability
on the GRADE evidence scale
This study was done on rats, not people. It shows that giving rats tomatoes or lycopene can lower their bad cholesterol and raise good cholesterol. But we can't be sure it works the same way in humans until it's tested in people.
No conflicts of interest were detected in this study. No score impact.
Strengths
- Randomized allocation to groups.
- Single blinding to reduce bias.
- Inclusion of negative and positive control groups.
Weaknesses
- Very small sample size (n=5 per group).
- Animal study, not human.
- No power calculation or sample size justification.
Methodology
Evidence Keywords
Statistical Reporting
Scoring
How strong is this study?
The study was carefully done: they randomly split the rats into groups and made sure the people giving the food didn't know which group was which. But only 5 rats were in each group, which is very small, so the results might not be very reliable.
40 / 100
- COI disclosure+40/40
- Data availabilitydata not shared
- Code availabilitycode not shared
70 / 100
- Randomization+20/20
- Blinding+9/15
- Control group+15/15
- Sample size (n=25)+2.4/20
- Follow-up+10/10
100 / 100
46 / 100
- P-values+15/15
- Effect sizeno effect size reported
- Confidence intervals+15/15
- Pre-registrationnot pre-registered
Each component is scored out of 100 and then capped by the study design — a case series cannot reach the ceiling a randomised trial can, however well it is reported.
Where it sits
RCT reviewsReviews of RCTs (Meta-analyses)
Max 100Randomized TrialsRandomized Trials
Max 90Reviews of Cohort StudiesReviews of Cohort Studies
Max 85Cohort StudiesCohort Studies
Max 72Reviews of Case-Control StudiesReviews of Case-Control Studies
Max 63Case-Control StudiesCase-Control Studies
Max 58Cross-Sectional & Case SeriesCross-Sectional & Case Series
Max 50Expert OpinionExpert Opinion
Max 519 / 100
Probability of being correct
Participants are randomly assigned to treatment or control groups, minimizing bias. The gold standard for testing whether an intervention causes an effect.
This design can establish causation. This is an animal study (albino rats). While the randomized controlled design can establish cause-effect relationships in rats, results cannot be directly extrapolated to humans without further clinical validation.
No Conflicts
No conflicts of interest identified
No conflicts of interest are apparent from the available text; the study appears to be an independent academic investigation.
The text includes sections for Declaration of Conflicting Interests and Funding, but their content is not visible in the excerpt. Based on the available information, no industry ties or funding sources are identified.
Standing
Who’s using this study?
The videos and claims on this site that lean on this study, and the researchers who wrote it.
1 video from Physionic cite this study, drawing 1 claim from it.
- Indication only
Weak evidence — fewer than 20 studies, so treat this as a starting point, not a fact.
Evidence