Description of lycopene

Lycopene belongs to the family of carotenoids, natural pigments that give plants and certain animals their yellow-orange (carotenes) and red (lycopene) colours.

Insoluble in water, lycopene is transported by blood lipids and accumulates in certain organs, particularly the liver and prostate.

It is the most abundant carotenoid in the human body.

Indications

Possible effectiveness

• Preventing prostate cancer

Effectiveness uncertain

• Treating prostate cancer
• Preventing coronary heart disease

Lycopene dosage

Current knowledge of the effects of lycopene does not allow a dosage to be determined.

Epidemiological studies suggest that a high dietary intake of lycopene, through a high consumption of tomatoes, preferably cooked, may provide some protection against various types of cancer, particularly prostate cancer.

Food sources of lycopene

There is no recommended dietary intake for this nutrient as it is not considered essential for health.

Tomatoes, along with watermelon, are the richest sources of lycopene.

However, lycopene levels vary greatly depending on the type of fruit or vegetable, the growing conditions (sun, season, country) and storage.

The way food is prepared also affects the bioavailability of lycopene, which is increased by cooking tomatoes and the presence of fat.

The foods richest in lycopene are

• Canned tomato puree
• Canned tomato paste
• Vegetable or tomato juice
• Canned tomato sauce
• Canned tomato soup
• Canned watermelon
• Canned tomatoes
• Raw tomatoes
• Ketchup
• Pink or red grapefruit

Interactions

With plants or supplements: carotenoids can interact with each other. Some human trials suggest that taking beta-carotene supplements increases the absorption of lycopene, but others have found no effect on blood lycopene levels.

With drugs: Certain drugs that reduce cholesterol and triglycerides (statins, cholestyramine, probucol) may reduce blood lycopene levels.