Research has found that powerful antioxidants in tomatoes can contribute to heart health in patients that suffer from heart disease. Participants who were given the supplement, Ateronon, saw that after two months their blood vessels widened by 53%.
The supplement contains 7 milligrams of the ingredient in tomatoes called lycopene. According to lead scientist Joseph Cheriyan from Addenbrooke’s Hospital “we’ve shown quite clearly that lycopene improves the function of blood vessels in cardiovascular disease patients. It reinforces the need for a healthy diet in people at risk of heart disease and stroke”.
While this research is encouraging, Cheriyan wants patients to understand “a daily ‘tomato pill’ is not a substitute for other treatments, but may provide added benefits when taken alongside other medication”.
The next step in researching lycopene is showing it’s anti-cancer properties, especially in relation to prostate cancer.