Lycopene, elixir against hypertension

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Lycopene-the carotenoid that gives tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelon, and apricots their red color-may help reduce hypertension. This is the conclusion of the meta-analysis (Rezaei kelishadi et al., 2022) published in the Journal of Herbal Medicine. (1)

Lycopene against hypertension

Iranian researchers collected 2,564 studies in the scientific literature with reference to the effects of lycopene consumption. The meta-analysis focused on 10 papers selected for data quality, presence of a control group, and duration of at least 2 weeks.

The analysis led to the conclusion that lycopene helps to significantly reduce levels of systolic blood pressure, i.e., ‘maximum blood pressure.’ With some distinctions.

Three variables for maximum effectiveness

The beneficial effect of lycopene was most evident in the presence of three factors:

– A higher systolic blood pressure level at the beginning of the studies,

– The higher dose/day of lycopene,

– the longest duration of integration, protracted up to 13 weeks in some of the selected studies.

Indeed, the best results emerged in individuals with systolic blood pressure of at least 130 mmHg (millimeters of mercury) who were treated for 8 weeks with a minimum of 15 mg/day of lycopene.

Antechamber of cardiovascular disease

Controlling hypertension is crucial to preventing cardiovascular disease, stroke in the first place, which can have a lethal outcome.

The beneficial effects of lycopene supplementation on BP (blood pressure, ed.) levels are believed to be attributed to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties on endothelial cells. These results suggest that lycopene may be useful as an antihypertensive agent‘, conclude the authors of the meta-analysis.

An antioxidant of excellence

This carotenoid, unlike β-carotene, does not convert in the body into vitamin A (at high doses not recommended for smokers). It exerts beneficial effects on human health by protecting lipids, proteins, and DNA from damage caused by oxidation. It has been found to be useful against fatty liver syndrome in obese people. (2) And it is also known to hinder the proliferation of cancer cells, particularly of the prostate. (3)

Lycopene is not synthesized by the body, so it must be introduced through the diet. Supplements are used in the studies considered by the meta-analysis under review, but habitual consumption of cooked tomato sauce (preferably organic) is already an excellent source. Lycopene concentrations in the blood peak 24-48 hours after the meal.

Marta Strinati

Notes

(1) Mahnaz Rezaei kelishadi, Omid Asbaghi, Behzad Nazarian, Fatemeh Naeini, Mojtaba Kaviani, Sajjad Moradi, Gholamreza Askari, Mojgan Nourian, Damoon Ashtary-Larky, Lycopene Supplementation and Blood Pressure: Systematic review and meta-analyses of randomized trials. Journal of Herbal Medicine, Volume 31, 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100521

(2) Marta Strinati. Lycopene, the wonders for health. Brazilian study. GIFT(Great Italian Food Trade), 9.8.19 https://www.greatitalianfoodtrade.it/salute/licopene-i-prodigi-per-la-salute-studio-brasiliano

(3) Marzocco, S., Singla, R. K., & Capasso, A. (2021). Multifaceted Effects of Lycopene: A Boulevard to the Multitarget-Based Treatment for Cancer. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland), 26(17), 5333. https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175333

Marta Strinati
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Professional journalist since January 1995, he has worked for newspapers (Il Messaggero, Paese Sera, La Stampa) and periodicals (NumeroUno, Il Salvagente). She is the author of journalistic surveys on food, she has published the book "Reading labels to know what we eat".