The “hero” of our article is a red pigment that can break down fats. Belongs to the carotenoid family. They are responsible for our favorite shades of fruits, berries, vegetables, autumn leaves. Lycopene, for example, colors tomatoes in a rich red tint. But modern researchers have revealed yet another of its amazing properties. Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that is very beneficial for the human body. In particular, it helps to resist the development of certain cancers, the progression of cardiovascular pathologies. We will talk more about the properties, indications and contraindications to the element later.
Antioxidant Benefits
What is lycopene needed for? The answer lies in listing its useful properties:
- Suppression of pathogenic intestinal microflora.
- Normalization of appetite.
- Contributing to weight loss.
- Normalization of cholesterol metabolism in the body.
- The fight against the causes of cardiovascular disease.
- Antifungal, anti-inflammatory qualities.
- Prevention of liver disorders.
- Beneficial effect on the skin, walls of capillaries and blood vessels.
- Improving the quality of tanning and reducing the risk of sunburn.
- Activation of normal digestion.
- Normalization of alkaline, acid balance.
- Participation in hematopoiesis.
Distinctive properties of the element
What is lycopene for? First of all, to provide essential assistance to the human body:
- Being a natural antioxidant, lycopene has the ability to destroy free radicals - molecules that cause the development of various diseases.
- Prevention of a number of chronic diseases. It is especially important to distinguish among them lesions of the cardiovascular system.
- A high concentration of the element will reduce the number of oxidized DNA components. And this is the prevention of cancer of the stomach and prostate. Moreover, many researchers agree that lycopene is the only carotenoid that can withstand cancer.
- If we turn to clinical studies, we will see that the regular use of products and preparations containing an element slows down the rate of growth of cancer cells by 70%. It is believed that the weekly use of tomatoes (fruits contain lycopene) reduces the risk of cancer by 35%!
Indications for use
The use of lycopene is primarily indicated for people suffering from the following diseases:
- Diseases of the digestive tract, pancreas.
- Chronic constipation.
- Anemia.
- Cardiovascular pathology, coronary heart disease.
- Atherosclerosis.
- Dysbacteriosis
- Avitaminosis.
- Excess weight.
- Violation of mineral metabolism.
- Skin diseases.
- Secondary immunodeficiencies.
- Prevention of eye diseases (in particular, cataracts) - the element slows down degenerative processes in the retina.
- Prevention of cancer of the prostate and stomach.
- Prevention of inflammatory processes.
The element is shown as a means of prevention, and as one of the components of therapy.
Contraindications
Lycopene is a remedy that has a minimum number of contraindications for use:
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding time.
- Preschool age.
- Individual intolerance to the component.
- Cholelithiasis.
Healthy foods
What is noteworthy, the antioxidant can be taken not only in the form of a drug, but also eating delicious fruits and vegetables:
- Tomatoes They are leaders in the percentage of a substance among its natural “carriers”. Moreover, red varieties of tomatoes will contain a higher percentage of lycopene. An important feature - the trace element will not lose its properties after heat treatment of the fruit! Therefore, tomato juices, mashed potatoes, sauces, ketchup will be no less useful.
- The second place in the content of lycopene is occupied by red grapefruits, watermelons and guava.
- Lycopene is also found in pink grapefruits, melon, carrots, apricots, rosehip berries, beets, papaya, asparagus, red cabbage, sweet red pepper.
- The remaining fruits and berries are saturated red. However, they should still be consumed in limited quantities - higher doses can change the pigmentation of your skin. Therefore, for example, in Thailand it is not customary to eat tomatoes - local residents are afraid of the appearance of ugly dark spots on the skin.
Features of the use of products with lycopene
It is an antioxidant found in our favorite foods and dishes. Here are some helpful suggestions for consuming such foods:
- It is perfectly absorbed both raw and after heat treatment of vegetables and fruits. Therefore, a dish of stewed tomatoes will be no less useful than a fresh tomato.
- In order to make up for their daily need for lycopene, it is enough to drink 2 cups of tomato juice daily. Or eat 1 tablespoon of tomato paste. Tomato products also have “youthful” properties - such daily use of the product increases the level of collagen in the skin by 30%.
- An important point - the accumulation in the cells of the organs of this antioxidant is facilitated by its entry into the body with food.
- The use of products containing lycopene should be periodic and systematic. So, for example, if you ignore tomatoes and tomato dishes for a week, the percentage of antioxidant in your body will fall by 50%!
Tomatoes: benefit and harm
It is believed that eating tomatoes is vital for every person. And the point here is not only in the high content of lycopene:
- Vegetable seeds are extremely beneficial for the circulatory system. They are capable of thinning the blood, which reduces the risk of developing severe pathologies (in particular, thrombosis).
- Some people separate its skin from the fetus, believing that it is not digested. This is not entirely correct. The peel is able to normalize the digestive tract, serves as an excellent prevention of constipation.
- As for lycopene, it is better absorbed by the body after heat treatment of tomato - in the form of paste, ketchup, juice.
But you do not need to think that it is necessary to eat tomatoes and dishes from them in unlimited quantities. Here are cases where you need to do this with caution:
- Cholelithiasis. Vegetable causes an exacerbation of the disease.
- Kidney stones and bladder. This result leads to the irregular long-term use of tomato juice, coupled with starch-containing products.
- Cardiovascular disease, hypertension. People suffering from these pathologies should limit themselves in the use of pickled, salted, canned tomatoes. The point is the high content of table salt in these products.
Lycopene in a pharmacy
Sold in the form of funds for oral administration - powders, capsules, tablets. However, the main function of such drugs is a purely antioxidant. They are used for the prevention of cardiovascular diseases, due to the antibacterial and antifungal properties.
Herbal antioxidant for pharmaceuticals is obtained by extraction from plants. By the way, lycopene obtained in this way is also a red food color (E 160d). Apply it more in the cosmetic industry. It is an active ingredient in many skin care masks.
The following drugs with lycopene are most known (instructions for use are attached to each):
- Apiferrum. The remedy is notable for its restorative effect. Helps to eliminate toxins and waste from the body naturally. It reduces appetite, helps to normalize metabolism, has a beneficial effect on blood formation processes, and helps to heal wounds. It is also available in the form of balm - a biologically active food supplement.
- "Lacto-lycopene." This drug is more aimed at stimulating the renewal of the deep layers of the skin, the synthesis of collagen, and protecting its fibers from damage. Tablets are recommended for women who seek to naturally preserve youthful skin.
- "Lycoprofit", "Tiens", Ateronon, "Lycopid." Tablets are used to prevent vascular, oncological diseases.
Drug Reviews
Consumers and manufacturers of drugs containing lycopene in their reviews focus on the beneficial properties and relevance of funds. It is recommended to use them for preventive purposes.
But do not forget that the most useful use of lycopene is with food. Especially with such tomatoes, which are so common in Russia and relatively affordable. Tomato dishes are useful and tasty, but do not forget about the contraindications that we presented to you.