Lycopene is an antioxidant pigment that gives tomatoes, red peppers, grapefruit, watermelon and other vegetables and fruits their characteristic bright pink or reddish hues. This carotenoid nutrient is common in the Western diet, as these foods are used in many dishes, including pasta sauces. According to MayoClinic.com, lycopene is also naturally present in human serum, skin, the liver, the lungs, the adrenal glands, the colon and the prostate gland. This nutrient is thought to have several beneficial properties and may even have anti-cancer effects, though the research is not yet conclusive.
Step 1
Consume foods rich in lycopene for their potent antioxidant properties. According to the American Cancer Society, this effect helps to decrease the damaging effects of the byproducts that are given off during normal body processes. This helps to reduce inflammation and protect the DNA and cells of the body from damage and disease.
Step 2
Add lycopene to your diet to boost and stimulate the immune system. Lycopene works with other carotenoid antioxidants and nutrients to help cleanse diseased cells and pathogens from the body.
Step 3
Ingest foods containing lycopene to help fight disease. MayoClinic.com reports that individuals with high levels of lycopene had lower incidences of cancers, heart disease and macular degeneration of the eyes. The American Cancer Society notes that lycopene is also thought to help reduce the risk of cancers, particularly of the lungs, stomach and prostate gland. However, studies are ongoing and are not yet conclusive as of February 2011.
Step 4
Consume foods with lycopene to prevent and slow damage to the body caused by diabetes. The antioxidant effects of lycopene help protect the nerves in the brain and body from oxidative damage due to fluctuating blood glucose levels.
Tips and Warnings
- Eating cooked tomatoes has been found to raise lycopene levels in the blood more than raw tomatoes. This may be because heat-denatured lycopene is absorbed more readily by the intestines.
- Studies that show the benefits of lycopene consumption have been based on eating tomatoes, not on the use of supplements. For this reason, it is not yet known if lycopene on its own will have the same benefits as when it consumed as part of a vegetable that contains other vitamins and minerals.
Things You'll Need
- Lycopene rich foods
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