Lycopene a natural chemical originates from Solanum lycopersicum is a Carotenoid found in red colored vegetables like Tomato, Water melon, Papaya, Pink colored fruits and vegetables. These fruits contain Lycopene in high concentration levels. Lycopene is naturally present in human blood serum, lungs, prostate, colon, and skin.
Some of its health benefits are,
- Guards Liver,
- Protects skin,
- Cancer Preventives,
- Saves eyes,
- Infertility
What are the Lycopene benefits?
Antioxidants:
When free radicals are neutralized in the body by Lycopene, it rescues the body from degenerative diseases which causes due to aging. Lycopene helps the cells function and prevents the cells from DNA damages. Presence of high level Lycopene in the blood reduces the risk of heart disease, cancer and eye disorder say macular degeneration. Body does not have the tendency to produce Lycopene, so it can be obtained only from food sources.
Protects skin:
Lycopene has the tendency to protect the skin from damages, burns. As the Phytonutrients are present in the red skinned veg and fruits, especially tomatoes, it acts and shields the body against UVA and UVB free radicals and also Phytonutrients neutralizes the said sun rays. When tomato is cooked, the content of Lycopene is increased and if it is consumed along with oil there will be a better absorption identified out of its lipid condition.
Cancer Preventives:
Since Lycopene is not produced from the body, it is given as supplement to treat some cancers. The dose of Lycopene is increased to treat Tumor Metastasis condition. It has been proved by a cell culture study that Lycopene fights and prohibits against the growth of HT-29 Cells, colon cells of human though present in the low concentration level. Lymphocytic leukemia, Erythroleukemia, Colon carcinoma are reduced and treated with the help of antiproliferative capacity of Lycopene. Increases level of Lycopene supplement intake reduces the risks of Oral, breast, pancreatic cancers.
Saves eyes:
Presence of Anti-oxidants in Lycopene prevents the eyes from cataracts and macular degeneration condition especially in adults. Also treats diabetic induced Cataract by its antioxidant property.
Infertility:
One among the general causes of Male infertility is excessive free radicals. Lycopene fights against cell damage by free radical activity and save the human body cells. Lycopene is present in high concentration level in men testes & seminal plasma. When Lycopene is administered orally for infertility condition, it improves the concentration level and increases the motility of the sperm.
Guards Liver:
Lycopene benefits all human organs and shields from dreadful diseases Cellular necrosis, lipid peroxidation causes liver damage. Biochemical like serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, bilirubin, and alkaline phosphatase levels are increased when liver is damaged. Lycopene’s hepatoprotective effects reduce the level of boichemicals and protect the liver from further damage. Lycopene reduces fatty acids, Triglycerides and Cholesterol levels and serum phospholipids level.
For ailments:
High level of Lycopene saves the heart from stroke, attacks. Available Carotenoids reduces LDL level and decreases free fats thus improves the heart function, prevents from plaque formation atherosclerosis.
Lycopene supplement are easily available and naturally obtained from many vegetables and fruits like Tomato, Pink grapes, Ping guavas, Watermelon etc. Intake of Lycopene along with other necessary vitamins and minerals keeps our health free from all diseases. ‘Lycopene benefits‘ are clearly instigate everyone to improve their Lycopene levels.