Lycopene is a bright red carotene and carotenoid pigment and phytochemical that gives tomatoes and other red fruits their crimson-like color such as red carrots, watermelons and papayas. Despite their colors, strawberries and cherries don’t contain lycopene. Lycopene is not an essential nutrient for humans but it can be commonly found in the diet of food made from tomato sauce. When absorbed from the stomach, it is transported in the blood by various lipoproteins and accumulates in the liver, adrenal glands and testes.

The first reported isolation procedures of lycopene were in 1910 with its structure determined by 1931. Fruits and vegetables are high in lycopene particularly the Sougheast Asian fruit known as gac, tomato (raw, sauce, juice and ketchup), watermelon, pink grapefruit, papayas, apricot and red bell pepper. Unlike vitamin C found in fruits and vegetables which diminishes upon cooking, the processing of tomatoes increases the concentration of lycopene. In fact, lycopene in tomato paste is four times more potent that in fresh tomatoes.

Numerous researches reveal that regular consumption of lycopene rich foods greatly increase the protection against certain types of cancer like prostate cancer as well as pancreatic, stomach, breast, cervix and lung cancers. Lycopene stimulates the communication from one cell to another. It is believed that the disruption of communications between cells is one of the causes of the abnormal growth of cells, a condition which can ultimately lead to cancerous cells. When absorbed, lycopene accumulation in the body is higher in the testes which, research suggests, can boost sperm count and concentration in infertile men. Lycopene also has antioxidant properties that can be found in most memory vitamins . Antioxidants prevent the chemical reaction of oxidation which results in the production of free radicals. The presence of free radicals damages the cells which is why many pharmaceutical companies include antioxidants in their beauty regimen products.

The only known adverse effect of excessive consumption of lycopene is the discoloration of the skin from orange to red. Other than that, no other negative side effects have ever been associated with lycopene. Despite all these benefits, there are no recommended daily intake levels for carotenoid, including lycopene.

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