Tomatoes are a common fruit, available year-round in most supermarkets. One of the benefits of tomato consumption is their high content of antioxidant compounds called carotenoids. The major carotenoids in tomatoes have been found to bestow health benefits, from protecting the eyes to preventing cancer, according to the November 2002 issue of "Experimental Biology and Medicine."
Lycopene
Lycopene may be the most abundant carotenoid in tomatoes, and it may be the most popular, as there have been numerous reports on its health benefits, with tomatoes and tomato-based products as its primary source. The American Cancer Society reports that lycopene may help prevent heart disease, age-related macular degeneration and several forms of cancer, including that of prostate, brain, breast, cervix, mouth and colon. While standard red tomatoes contain high amounts of lycopene, the USDA reports that orange-skinned tangerine tomatoes have an even greater lycopene content.
Lutein
Lutein helps maintain healthy eyes, skin and cardiovascular system, according to the Lutein Information Bureau. Large amounts of lutein are in the macula of the eye, where it forms the yellow macula pigment and offers protection by filtering out harmful blue wavelengths from light. Lutein also helps protect the eyes from macular degeneration, a condition in which the health of the macula declines and leads to a loss of central vision. An antioxidant compound, lutein also protects the skin from sunlight and harsh environmental compounds that can cause skin damage. The Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study in 2001 found that lutein protects against heart disease by preventing the thickening and hardening of the arteries.
Beta-carotene
Beta-carotene is a carotenoid that converts to vitamin A in the body -- unlike lutein and lycopene, which have no vitamin A activity. The vitamin A converted from beta-carotene helps maintain healthy skin, membranes, eye health and immune system, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. As an antioxidant compound, it may also help reduce the risk of cancer and heart disease. UMMC recommends getting daily beta-carotene intake from foods such as tomatoes, rather than taking a supplement.
Phytoene and Phytofluene
Phytoene and phytofluene are lesser known carotenoids, but not because they don't deliver health benefits. As antioxidants, they protect cells from harm caused by free radicals. An added benefit is the fact that they have a high rate of absorption into tissues within the body, according to researchers at the University of Illinois. Published in the January 2011 issue of "Advances in Nutrition," researchers report that by absorbing into tissues and glands, phytoene and phytofluene are able to help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and protect the skin from damaging UV rays.
Other Carotenoids
Tomatoes contain other carotenoids, including alpha-carotene, zeta-carotene and neurosporene. These carotenoids work along side the major carotenoids to provide health benefits.
References
- "Experimental Biology and Medicine"; Chemistry, Distribution and Metabolism of Tomato Carotenoids and Their Impact on Human Health; F. Khachik, et al.; November 2002
- American Cancer society: Lycopene
- USDA: Tangerine Tomatoes Surpass Reds in Preliminary Lycopene Study; M. Wood; Feb. 1, 2011
- Lutein Information Bureau: Lutein and Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD)
- The Los Angeles Atherosclerosis Study: Oxygenated Carotenoid Lutein and Progression of Early Atherosclerosis; J.H. Dwyer, et al.; 2001
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Beta-carotene
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