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Everything You Need to Know About Lycopene
Lycopene is a naturally occurring organic pigment found
in many plant-based foods. It is responsible for the red color in
several fruits and vegetables.
It acts as a powerful
antioxidant, helping reduce the risk of heart disease and prostate
cancer.
What Are the
Benefits of Lycopene?
- Reduces the risk of cardiovascular
disease
- Lowers the risk of prostate cancer
- Provides protection against ultraviolet
(UV) sun damage
Examples of
Lycopene Sources
|
Vegetables |
Fruits |
|
Tomatoes |
Watermelon |
|
Asparagus |
Guava |
|
Red bell pepper |
Grapefruit |
|
Apricot |
|
|
Papaya |
Lycopene Content in
Common Foods
|
Food |
Serving Size |
Lycopene (mg) |
|
Canned crushed
tomatoes |
1 cup |
54.4 |
|
Sun-dried tomatoes |
1 cup |
24.8 |
|
Tomato juice |
1 cup |
22.0 |
|
Guava |
1 cup, chopped |
8.59 |
|
Watermelon |
1 cup, chopped |
6.89 |
|
Raw tomatoes |
1 cup, chopped |
4.63 |
|
Tomato paste |
1 tablespoon |
4.6 |
|
Grapefruit |
1 cup, chopped |
3.26 |
|
Papaya |
1 cup, chopped |
2.65 |
|
Ketchup |
1 tablespoon |
2.05 |
Minorsky, Peter. (2002). Lycopene and human health. Plant physiology. 130. 1077-8.