Is there more lycopene in canned tomatoes than in fresh?
Yes. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant, is found in tomatoes, red grapefruit and watermelon. Tomatoes are the primary source of lycopene benefits in the American diet, providing more than 85% of the lycopene we eat. Canned or jarred tomatoes, as well as those found in pastes and sauces, actually have more lycopene than their fresh counterparts. When the tomato is heated — as it is in the canning process — its cells release lycopene, making the lycopene more easily absorbable for our bodies.
