I frequently hear the word ´lycopene´ related to tomatoes, but what exactly is lycopene?
Lycopene is a carotenoid, a pigment found in tomatoes and other red fruits, like guava, rosehip, watermelon and ping grape fruit, and its responsible for their red colour. Lycopene is the most common carotenoid found in the human body, and the most powerful antioxidant carotenoid. According to Lycopene.org, antioxidants can neutralize free radicals, which may interfere with normal growth and development of the body’s cells. Several studies relate frequent intake of lycopene with different health benefits, like reduced prostate cancer risk, although none of them is still conclusive. Lycopene in tomatoes is better absorved by the human body if it is processed into juice, sauce or paste, for example, because it is insoluble in water and tightly bound to vegetable fiber. Lycopene is also used as a food coloring.
