Lycopene belongs to the class of compounds called carotenoids, which are organic pigments that give fruits and vegetables their yellow, orange or red color. Specifically, lycopene is the red pigment that provides color to plants. Lycopene acts as an antioxidant, protecting cells from damage by free radicals, which are unstable compounds produced as a byproduct of chemical reactions in your body.
Sources of Lycopene
Your body cannot synthesize lycopene, so the only way to obtain it is through your diet or supplementation. According to the American Cancer Society, lycopene is one of the major carotenoids in the diets of North Americans and Europeans. Food sources of lycopene include tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, apricot, guava and red chilies. Lycopene is also available as a supplement.
Benefits of Lycopene
Diets high in lycopene have been linked to lower risk of heart disease and macular degenerative disease, which is an eye disease that can lead to blindness. High serum lycopene has also been linked to lower LDL cholesterol levels. Lycopene may also help lower the risk of certain types of cancer, including lung, prostate, bladder, skin, cervix, stomach. The American Cancer Society notes that lycopene is most effective in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. This is because the body stores the most lycopene in the tissues of the testes and the adrenal glands.
Considerations
The studies performed on the effects of lycopene have used tomatoes as a source of the antioxidant. Because lycopene supplements were not used in isolation, it is unclear whether the anti-cancer effects of the tomato-rich diet were entirely dependent on lycopene alone or if the combination of nutrients in a tomato provided the benefits. In addition, studies concluded that the levels of lycopene in the blood are higher after consuming cooked tomatoes rather than raw tomatoes or tomato juice. According to BHIA Health, heat increases lycopene bioavailability by 2.5 times, making it more absorbable by the body.
Warnings
It is best to obtain lycopene through a diet rich in red fruits and vegetables. Although supplements have not been associated with any dangerous complications, excess supplementation may cause uncomfortable gastrointestinal symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea, gas and bloating. Over time, the accumulation of lycopene can also change the color of the skin.
Lycopene is sold commercially as a dietary supplement, rather than a drug. Because of this, the Food and Drug Administration does not regulate lycopene supplements. Consult your doctor before beginning any type of supplementation.
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