Tomato lycopene

What is Lycopene?

Lycopene is a very powerful natural antioxidant, which provides the characteristic red colour to tomatoes, with many properties and health benefits, as it protects the cells of the human body from oxidative stress. It is the best antioxidant carotenoid against free radicals.

What is the role of lycopene?

The great antioxidant power of lycopene provides our body with unique properties as healthy food, since the lycopene of the tomato protects us naturally from diseases and degenerative processes related to the oxidation of cells.

What are the benefits of lycopene?

Most of the beneficial effects derive from its ability to “capture” free radicals. Numerous scientific studies have shown benefits of lycopene in our health:

Reduction of cholesterol levels

Protective effect of the skin against the sun

Prevention of infertility problems

Prevention of macular degeneration syndrome

Delays signs of aging

More about lycopene benefits

1) It helps take care of the heart

Lycopene prevents the oxidation of bad cholesterol. Oxidative stress, induced by free radicals on bad cholesterol, plays a central role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis.

According to research from The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, lycopene can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol, and increase HDL (good) cholesterol levels.

2)  It helps protect against sunburn

Some research has found that carotenoids (lycopene), in the form of food or supplements, can help decrease symptoms associated with burning or irritation caused by the sun’s rays.

3)  Improve mild or moderate erectile dysfunction

For the urologist and director of the Madrid Urological Institute, Juan Carlos Ruiz de la Roja, “the scientific explanation is very simple, it has been proven that lycopene has a vasodilator effect due to the release of nitric oxide, which favors better blood circulation at all levels, including the penis, improving erection “.

4)  May help in prostate cancer prevention

There is evidence of the inverse association between lycopene intake and the development of certain types of cancer. This is especially strong for prostate cancer. Among the mechanisms behind the inhibition of carcinogenesis are the enhancement of detoxification systems and interference in cell proliferation with inhibition of the cell cycle.

5)  Prevents the macular degeneration syndrome, cataracts.

Diabetes reduces the levels of lutein and zeaxanthin both in the serum and in the retina, so it is especially important to maintain a high level of them to prevent this pathology.

Carotenoids are powerful antioxidants, being of great help against diabetic retinopathy.