Lycopene is found in pink grapefruits, apricots, watermelon and cooked tomatoes. It is a powerful antioxidant and studies suggest that consumption of foods rich in lycopene is associated with a lower risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular disease.
The protective effect of antioxidants on heart disease has been well documented. In a recently published study, men who had the highest amount of lycopene in their body fat were half as likely to suffer a heart attack as those with the least amount of lycopene in their body fat.
Lycopene is not produced in the body, so you can only obtain its benefits by eating foods rich in lycopene. Tomato products, such as spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, ketchup and pizza sauce are, by far, the major sources of lycopene in the typical American diet.
Best Ways to add lycopene into your diet:
- Tomato Soup
- Spaghetti Sauce
- Adding tomato paste and olive oil to homemade spaghetti sauce
- Watermelon for a snack
- Pink grapefruit for breakfast
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