Cook your tomatoes

Lycopene is a carotenoid (same family as beta-carotene) and phytochemical that gives a reddish hue to food such as tomatoes, red peppers, watermelons and papayas. Our body cannot produce this substance, only plants and microorganisms can synthesize it.

Basically, it is a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect our cells from radical damage, causing major illnesses like atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, cancer and macula degeneration.

Health Benefits

+ A study conducted found that men with high levels of lycopene in their fatty tissues had a 55% reduced risk of heart disease. Cardiac patients experience reduction in the incidence of strokes with high intake. It has the ability to prevent the oxidation of LDL cholesterol, inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce inflammation.

+ In a 1995 Harvard University study conducted with 47,894 men, it was found that those who ate tomato products more than twice per week had a 21-34% reduced risk of prostate cancer. The risk is further reduced to 45% for those who ate 10 servings or more per week.

+ Women with high levels of lycopene have a 5 times lower rate of cervical cancer than those with the lowest levels.

+ Lycopene has been shown to have a protective effect against stomach, colon, lung and skin cancers. Taking in the morning it aids digestion and improves metabolism. However, taking during dinner can cause stomach swelling. 

+ In cosmetic products, Vitamin C is highly recommended for assisting in the repair and protection of the human skin. New study has found that daily intake of lycopene can result in a 30% increase of the ability of their skin to withstand UV radiation damage from sun exposure. As it degrades easily, it is important to keep the container properly sealed between uses.

Source

Lycopene is usually derived from tomatoes and tomato products. As lycopene is enclosed in the tissue and only that portion present is absorbed more can be extracted when pressed into juice, sauce, paste or ketchup. This process breaks down the cell walls of the tomato and releases abundance of lycopene. For example, one ripe tomato contains 4 mg of lycopene whilst a cup of tomato soup has 25 mg equivalent. A disadvantage is that the structure of lycopene is altered by the temperature changes involved in processing.

Oven-roasted potatoes topped with ketchup is great but not the unhealthy french fries. For quenching thirst, reach out for tomato juice for a worthy choice.

Eating tomato products with oil enables the lycopene to be more readily absorbed by the body given its fat-soluble (as are vitamins, A, D, E and beta-carotene) nature. Thus, topping a tomato salad with a little olive oil is a great way to increase its bioavailability.

Though food sources are deemed to be safe, lycopene can also be obtained in supplemental form either as tablets or capsules. Other nutrients may be added to the formula for better antioxidant benefits.

Caution

+ So far, maximum dose limit is not established and there are no reported incidence of toxicity from taking too much lycopene. As a safety guideline, daily intake of around 15 mg in total should be tolerable. Over the limit can cause upset and stomach side effects such as heartburn, nausea, vomiting, abdominal bloating, cramping or pain in conjunction with bowel movement changes. The side effects from an allergic reaction in any quantity can be hives, itching, bad rashes and chest pains.

+ There may be indirect problems caused by excessive consumption of tomatoes or commercially-prepared tomato products. Tomatoes have been strongly linked to certain forms of arthritis, especially rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. For gout patients, their low pH can pose a potential trigger food because as the existing crystals dissolve, a gout attack is triggered. As for processed tomato products, the high sodium content usually poses a problem for high blood pressure.

+ A diet overloads in lycopene may be counterproductive for the health. The immune system can be compromised, disengaging your body to fight infections and be able to repair itself. Illnesses and diseases that include any fevers or inflammation may not be able to fix with too much lycopene consumed daily, in very high doses over extended period.

+ Eating rich, red fruit and vegetables that contain high doses of lycopene can also turn your skin a pasty orange color over time. To cure such side effects, simply reduce or stop your intake of lycopene for time being.

+ Antioxidant supplements like lycopene may interfere with radiation and chemotherapy treatments. Even though studies have not been done in humans, antioxidants are known to clean up free radicals, which could interfere with one of the methods by which chemotherapy and radiation destroy cancer cells.

Our comments

By simply changing to a healthier diet, you are on the road to improving your overall health condition. Forgo your fast food for some fresh watermelon, delicious guava, crunchy carrot sticks and some tomato paste on your favorite biscuit/cracker for snacks. Eating a meal with tomato-based food is enough to gain all the benefits mentioned above.

BONUS!!!

*  Acne?

Tomatoes have a lot of vitamins A and C, antioxidants and acidic content, effectively in treating a host of minor skin ailments, especially oily skin problem. Mash one small tomato into a pulp, then spread the pulp on your face and let it sit for one hour. Wash it off with tepid water and pat dry. Repeat once a day for a week to see result.

*  Cramp legs?

Cramp legs can be due to potassium deficiencies, which occurs when this mineral is flushed out by diuretics, caffeinated beverages or heavy perspiration during exercise. By sipping 10 ounces of potassium-rich tomato juice daily, you are on the road to speedy recovery and lower risk of painful cramp flare-ups in as little as 10 days, say UCLA researchers.

Source: http://www.fitday.com/fitness-articles/nutrition/healthy-eating/what-is-lycopene.html

VIVA corner

VIVA Prosmett contains natural bioactive botanical and herbal compounds like saw palmetto extract, pumpkin seeds extract, pygeum bark extract, tomato extracts, wheat germ powder that are widely recognised to exert protective effects within the prostrate gland and urinary system. Having a formulation of multiple botanical and herbal concentrated extract is essential to produce synergistic effects that deliver more effective result for an overall well-being.