lycopene – the tomato’s secret weapon against cancer

What do grilled cheese sandwiches, french fries and spaghetti all have in common? None of them would seem quite complete without their partner from the tomato world. While tomatoes and tomato products serve as great complements to many of our favorite foods, there is more to tomatoes than just good taste.

Studies have shown that people who eat tomatoes and tomato products are significantly less likely to develop several types of cancers including lung, bladder, cervical and skin. Much of the reason for this happening is being attributed to lycopene.

Lycopene is an antioxidant, or nutrient that neutralizes free radicals to protect the body’s cells from damage. Ongoing research continues to show a correlation between lycopene, which is naturally found in tomatoes, and the reduction of cancer.

Most fruits and vegetables contain antioxidants, but none in either food group can be compared to the lycopene abundance found in juicy, red tomato. To choose the tomato with the most lycopene, look no further than its redness. Lycopene is attributed to giving the tomato its signature red color -- the more red the tomato appears, the more lycopene it will contain.

Studies also have shown that lycopene is more present in processed tomato products such as ketchup, spaghetti sauce, pizza sauce and tomato soup than in raw tomatoes. Heat processing of tomatoes and tomato products increases the rate at which lycopene is absorbed into the body. Once absorbed into the body, lycopene helps prevent and repair damaged cells.

So just how much lycopene are you putting into your diet? Well, the results might surprise you. While tomato paste contains the highest amount of milligrams of lycopene per 100 grams, spaghetti sauce is the leader when it comes to the highest amount of lycopene in a single serving. Other tomato products such as tomato juice, ketchup, seafood sauce and tomato soup also contain significant amounts of lycopene. Two glasses a day of tomato juice will fulfill nutritional benefits of lycopene.

Many dietitians suggest increased lycopene consumption. If you are looking for ways to incorporate lycopene into your diet, here are a few tips. Serve fresh sliced tomatoes as an alternative side dish, or just add tomato to your sandwich or salad. You could also eat tomatoes for a snack, or plan meals that involve cooked tomato products. Little things like this will help get you the lycopene you need into your body.

Source – www.lycopene.org

Cara Lawson is promotion specialist for Ohio Farm Bureau.

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