When it comes to antioxidants, lycopene is lesser known than other nutrients and phytonutrients.
Introducing lycopene to your everyday life can yield meaningful resultsplease, allow us to divulge you.
What is lycopene?
Lycopene is a carotenoid found in red, pink, and orange produceespeciallyred tomatoes.
Like all carotenoids, lycopene is a powerful phytonutrient (aka plant nutrient) with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
Thermal inputs (heat) used to process tomatoes into tomato products actuallyincreases the bioavailabilityof lycopene.
You may also find lycopene inhigh-quality supplement formulasat milligram amounts (beware of sprinkling at microgram levels).
Health benefits of lycopene.
Lycopene benefits a number of physiological systems in the bodyincluding your eyes, heart, skin, and more.
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Antioxidant properties
Lycopene is one of the most potent plant-derived antioxidants found in fruits and vegetables.
Eye health benefits
You’ve probably heard that carrots are good for your eyes at some point.
Yes, lycopene (and lutein and zeaxanthin) promoteseye health and visual acuity4.
- Itsneuroprotective effects7also include helping to balance levels of cytokines (proteins that signal the immune system).
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Nutritional studies show diets high in fruits and vegetablesparticularly antioxidant-rich producehave apositive effect on bone mineral status11.
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Sources of lycopene.
When it comes to food, lycopene is potent in a number of red- and pink-hued fruits and vegetables.
When asked for her recommendations, Cording added persimmons and red cabbage to the list.
But it’s definitely playing in the 5-plus milligram range.
Side effects of lycopene.
There are no negative side effects associated with lycopene from the diet.
The bottom line.
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