Lycopene is among the main constituents of many common foods, in fact, are rich in lycopene foods such as: Tomato.
The benefits of lycopene on human health, are very appreciated, in fact a recent meta-analysis has shown that lycopene has benefits against prostate cancer.
Among the main constituents of tomato is of particular importance lycopene, the pigment responsible for the dark red color of tomato, for its physical and chemical biological properties.
Lycopene has attracted attention for its effects as a natural antioxidant. In fact, clinical evidence has shown that lycopene is an excellent micronutrient, lipophilic antioxidant, as well as the most effective among the free radical scavengers of all carotenoids (plant pigments of lipid nature).
Umbrella review on lycopene
Recent analysis have shown that lycopene, with its antioxidant properties, is useful in protecting DNA, lipids and other macromolecules.
In vitro and in vivo studies have shown that lycopene as well as being a powerful antioxidant, also plays an anti-inflammatory role and in addition, lycopene has anticarcinogenic and cardioprotective properties, which mean that it can provide protection against chronic diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome.
A recent Umbrella Review (i.e. a study of analysis that takes as reference a series of previous studies, also called metadata) wanted to demonstrate how the association between lycopene and tomato is a perfect combination for multiple aspects related to health.
Despite the not high quality in most of the studies, we can highlight how the intake of lycopene has been associated with a reduction in mortality of 28% for the causes of stroke, heart attacks, prostate cancer, gastric cancer.
In this meta-analysis, there is sufficient evidence to affirm a correlation between lycopene consumption and prostate cancer with dose-response relationships.
The relationship between lycopene and prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the major cancers affecting the male population. Approximately 35,000 men get prostate cancer each year, one in eight men. Among the main causes of prostate cancer, there is age, familiarity and high doses of hormones such as testosterone.
The meta-analysis concerning the relationship between lycopene and prostate cancer showed that the risk of prostate cancer decreased in relation to the levels of lycopene consumed in the diet.
It was found that the risk of prostate cancer was reduced by 13% in subjects who consumed about 200g/week of lycopene-containing foods such as tomatoes, 28% at 500g/week of ripe tomatoes containing lycopene, 46% at 1000g/week of lycopene-rich foods and 56% at 1,350g/week of lycopene-containing products.
This study showed that the risk of prostate cancer decreased by 1% for every 2 mg of dietary lycopene intake.
In addition, further investigations, have verified and confirmed that the intake of lycopene was associated with a reduction in risk of prostate cancer cd. lethal and a lower degree of angiogenesis. From this investigation it emerged that lycopene could inhibit the proliferation of cd. neoplastic cells, inducing their apoptosis and that is the process of programmed cell death; thus inducing the prevention of metastasis. The treatment with tomato and lycopene would seem to lower and regulate the metabolism and androgen signaling in prostate cancer.
The health benefits of lycopene
Finally, the Umbrella Review showed that high serum intakes of lycopene are associated with good reductions in the risk of stroke and cardiovascular disease.
This review saw how, tomato and lycopene supplementation had positive effects on blood lipids, blood pressure and endothelial function.
Still, other lycopene-related positive effects were identified in:
a decrease in C-reactive protein levels,
reduced progression of atherosclerosis,
suppression of the pro-inflammatory response, inhibition of infocyte proliferation.
From the results of this Umbrella review, concerning the benefits of lycopene on prostate cancer, it emerges how the formulation of specific products based on lycopene can be useful in the prevention and reduction of stroke and cardiovascular diseases, as well as in the treatment of prostate cancer.
English