Lycopene is the red-colored caroteinoid predominantly found in tomato fruit, but in few other fruits or vegetables. Lycopene is one the most potent antioxidants among dietary carotenoids. Humans cannot synthesize carotenoids and have to depend upon the diet exclusively for the source of these micronutrients.
Dietary intake of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene has been shown to be associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The need of antioxidants is increased by the excess dietary fats, cigarette smoke, alcohol consumption, pollutants and stress.
A recent clinical study demonstrated that lycopene might not only prevent prostate cancer but also have therapeutic effects. Researchers in Finland have found that low plasma lycopene concentrations are associated with early atherosclerosis, manifested as increased CCA-IMT (intimamedia thickness of the common carotid artery wall), in middle-aged men living in eastern Finland.
A daily dose of lycopene exerts a protective effect against EIA (exercise-induced asthma) in some patients, most probably through an in vivo antioxidative effect.
