Affordable Healthcare Series- Lycopene

LYCOPENE

Lycopene is a powerfully active nutrient found in tomatoes with tremendous antioxidant ability.  There is promising research that Lycopene may help prevent certain cancers affecting men, but more empirical data is needed.  Additional research to the beneficial effects of Lycopene in the body is great improvements in the function of blood vessels in patients with cardiovascular disease and high cholesterol.  Lycopene may be linked to warding off the advancement of particular cancers that affect postmenopausal women, as well as renal cell carcinoma.  This research is ongoing and more verification of these claims is needed.  A recommendation that you do not eat dark, leafy greens and tomatoes would be counter-productive to any health and wellness program.  However, to claim that every antioxidant as a confirmed prevention would be lofty and possibly false.  You can always improve your dietary intake by having the willingness to start, but talk to your doctor as well!  Adults over 18 should get between 2-30 milligrams of Lycopene daily.  A tomato a day, a wedge of ripe watermelon or a ¾ cup of the following vegetables should suffice.  Grow these: 

Tomatoes 3.0 mg per ¾ cup

Carrots 3.0 mg per ¾ cup

Sweet Peppers .5 mg per cup

Red Cabbage .5 mg per 3/4 cup

Honorable Mentions:  Watermelon, Papaya, Mango, and Grapefruit!

Bottom Line- Happy immune system, heart, and good cholesterol.