Lycopene – in addition to being a powerful antioxidant – is effective in treating so-called ‘fatty liver disease’, which is closely related to obesity as well as to intakes of palm oil and added sugars. Revealing its wonders is a Brazilian study just published in Antioxidants.
Lycopene, good cholesterol and liver function. The Brazilian firm
Researchers induced a condition of obesity in animal guinea pigs to simulate the pathological conditions that afflict at least 650 million of the more than 1.9 billion overweight individuals. (2) The origin of this pathology is largely due to behavioral factors. In fact, the sudden increase in the occurrence of obesity since the 1980s is attributed to the increased consumption of ultra-processed foods high in saturated fats, added sugars and high energy density, along with a sedentary lifestyle. (3)
The guinea pigs were divided into two groups, one control and the other subjected to a high-calorie regimen. After 20 weeks, rats were treated to test the effects of administering a daily dose of lycopene (in corn oil) of 10 mg/kg body mass for 10 weeks.
At the end of the trial, the health condition of obese guinea pigs treated with lycopene-originally afflicted with the diseases typically associated with obesity-including Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD)-showed marked improvements. With increased so-called ‘good’ cholesterol (HDL), mitigation of elevated tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels, improved liver function.
Lycopene, antioxidant action and disease prevention
Lycopene is a carotenoid that gives red color to tomatoes, red grapefruit, watermelon and apricots. It is also used as a food coloring (E160d). Since it is not synthesized by the body, it must be introduced through the diet.
Tomatoes are the main source of lycopene in the diet. But there is evidence that the greatest intake comes from tomato sauces and gravies, then from chopping and cooking the fresh fruit. (4) Serum concentrations peak 24-48 hours after the meal.
Sourcing sauces and passata in Italy is even easier than elsewhere. The Bel Paese is the world’s second largest producer of processing tomatoes. Preceded by California (USA) and followed by China. And first exporter of pulps and peeled products, with a 77 percent share of the world value. To get an idea, let it be known that second and third exporters are Spain and California, with just 5 percent and 4 percent of the global value.
Lycopene, tomato preserves and supplements
Tomato preserves, preferably organic, are therefore a health ingredient. Indeed, the powerful antioxidant action of lycopene is proven to be useful in preventing cardiovascular disease and prostate cancer.(5)
In treating severe cases of obesity-related disease, such as those covered by the Brazilian study, however, lycopene intake from food alone is not sufficient.
‘Despite the outcome of the effects of lycopene on NAFLD observed in this study, there are some limitations regarding the translation of this study in humans. The concentration of lycopene used in the treatment is higher than could be provided by a balanced diet‘, the researchers conclude. Those who recall, however, the availability of lycopene-based dietary supplements.
Notes
(1) Róvero Costa et al. Lycopene Modulates Pathophysiological Processes of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Obese Rats. Antioxidants (Basel). https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox8080276
(2) See WHO, Fact Sheets Obesity and overweight https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/obesity-and-overweight
(3) SEE https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Javad_Mehrabani/publication/322599691_Overweight_and_Obesity_A_Brief_Challenge_on_Prevalence_Complications_and_Physical_Activity_among_Men_and_Women/links/5a61e894aca272a158177273/Overweight-and-Obesity-A-Brief-Challenge-on-Prevalence-Complications-and-Physical-Activity-among-Men-and-Women.pdf
(4) Wilhelm Stahl, Helmut Sies, Uptake of Lycopene and Its Geometrical Isomers Is Greater from Heat-Processed than from Unprocessed Tomato Juice in Humans. The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 122, Issue 11, November 1992, Pages 2161-2166, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/122.11.2161
(5) Kirstie Canene-Adams et al. The Tomato As a Functional Food. The Journal of Nutrition, Volume 135, Issue 5, May 2005, Pages 1226-1230, https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/135.5.1226
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".
