{"id":38511,"date":"2022-10-07T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-07T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?p=38511"},"modified":"2024-11-12T16:16:42","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T00:16:42","slug":"lycopene-benefits-foods","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is Lycopene & How Can it Benefit Your Health?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The second-century physician Galen wrote about a dangerous plant that he called lycopersion<\/a>, which roughly translates from the Greek as \u201cwolf peach.\u201d This name reflected a contemporary belief that eating the fruit of this plant could turn people into werewolves.<\/p>\n

A millennium and a half later, Carl Linnaeus, the fellow who created the taxonomic naming system we use today, was casting about for a reasonable Latin name for the tomato, which had recently been introduced into Europe from the Americas. At the time, most people thought tomatoes were poisonous, and Linnaeus reinforced that idea by borrowing from Galen. The tomato, Linnaeus decided, was now Solanum lycopersicum<\/i>, or \u201cwolf-peach of the nightshade family,\u201d a dangerous group that included poisonous and hallucinogenic species long associated with witchcraft and the occult.<\/p>\n

In 1768, just 15 years after Linnaeus maligned the tomato, British gardener Philip Miller attempted to rehabilitate it with a new name, Lycopersicon esculentum<\/i>, meaning \u201cedible wolf-peach.\u201d (You can read all about how the tomato went from reviled to beloved in our full article here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

You\u2019ll notice that the wolfy prefix \u201clyco\u201d still describes the tomato. And that\u2019s where we get the word lycopene, one of the compounds in the tomato that, rather than turning you hairy and feral during the full moon, can protect your body from more common chronic conditions.<\/p>\n

Lycopene is best known for its association with tomatoes, but it appears in a few other plants as well, most of them reddish in hue. In this article, we\u2019ll look at how lycopene can benefit your health, and where, in addition to red tomatoes, you can get it.<\/p>\n

What Is Lycopene?<\/h2>\n
\"free
iStock.com\/ttsz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lycopene is an antioxidant<\/a>, which means it fights free radicals in your body that, left unchecked, can cause oxidative stress and disease. It\u2019s a member of the carotenoid family, which are naturally occurring compounds that contribute to the red and orange colors of some fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n

Lycopene is also known as a non-provitamin A carotenoid (that is, unlike most carotenoids, your body doesn\u2019t convert it to vitamin A<\/a>). Instead, lycopene benefits your health by protecting<\/a> fats, proteins, and DNA from oxidative damage.<\/strong> In fact, it more than makes up for not turning into vitamin A by having the highest antioxidant potential of all the carotenoids. (For some reason, this makes me think of Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. Is it a coincidence that both his nose and lycopene are red? I think not.)<\/p>\n

Lycopene is primarily stored in the liver, testes, adrenal glands, and adipose (fat) tissues, with lower concentrations in the kidneys, ovaries, lungs, and prostate. As your body can\u2019t manufacture it, you must source it from food. But you can\u2019t get it by eating like a werewolf \u2014 lycopene only occurs naturally in plants, not animals.<\/p>\n

Lycopene Health Benefits<\/h2>\n
\"\"
iStock.com\/Natali_Mis<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The more we learn about lycopene, the more we find out about its myriad health benefits. Here are a few of its best-documented positive effects.<\/p>\n

Lycopene and Cancer<\/h3>\n

Lycopene does several things to fight the progression and spread of cancer<\/a><\/strong> \u2014 especially cancers of the prostate<\/a>, breast, lungs, and stomach. It inhibits cell growth, keeps cancer cells from proliferating, encourages cancer cell death (\u201capoptosis\u201d), and keeps tumors from invading other parts of the body. There\u2019s also evidence that lycopene can enhance<\/a> the effectiveness of some anticancer pharmacotherapy.<\/p>\n

Lycopene and Fertility in Men<\/h3>\n

One effect of high levels of oxidation<\/a> in the body is damage to sperm. Lycopene targets reactive oxygen species (ROS) to minimize or prevent this effect, helping to reduce DNA damage, sperm death, and degradation of sperm cell membranes. In these ways, lycopene can maintain healthy sperm motility, concentrations, and form.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 2020 clinical trial showed<\/a> that 12 weeks of lycopene supplementation improved sperm motility and morphology in healthy young men, compared to the placebo. So for men who are found to be sub-fertile (because of sluggish sperm, or just not enough of them), adding lycopene to the diet may help \u2014 along with quitting smoking, losing any excess weight, and swapping out tight briefs for more breathable underwear, all of which have been found to be helpful for fertility, as well.<\/p>\n

A 2021 rat study demonstrated<\/a> some of the molecular pathways by which lycopene benefits sperm. The two main ones included reducing ROS and increasing antioxidant activity. (Our view on the use of animals in medical research is here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

Lycopene and Heart Health<\/h3>\n

Lycopene helps protect against oxidative damage to the cardiovascular system<\/a>. It can regulate blood pressure using the same pathways as the ACE inhibitor class of antihypertensive drugs, as well as improving the bioavailability of nitric oxide, a compound that dilates blood vessels. Lycopene also helps lower LDL (\u201cbad\u201d) cholesterol and raise HDL (\u201cgood\u201d) cholesterol to prevent plaques<\/a> and atherosclerosis.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A 2006 study measured<\/a> serum levels of lycopene in 3,000 Japanese men and followed them for 12 years. Those with the highest levels had the lowest risk of dying from cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n

Is Lycopene Anti-Inflammatory?<\/h3>\n

Inflammation<\/a> is one root cause of many different chronic disorders and diseases, including type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer\u2019s, asthma, allergies, mood disorders, and arthritis. And it turns out that lycopene is a <\/span>powerful<\/span><\/a> anti-inflammatory compound. It particularly fights inflammation in the liver, arterial cell walls, and <\/span>adipose<\/span><\/a> (fatty) tissue. This last is especially significant because much of the damage caused by obesity is fueled by inflammatory compounds that are released by excess adipose cells. So lycopene may be especially helpful for anyone carrying significant excess weight.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A 2012 study found<\/a> that drinking tomato juice daily reduced inflammatory markers in obese and overweight women, compared to those who were just given water to drink. The researchers surmised that lycopene benefits might include helping to break the link between obesity and inflammatory conditions such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease.<\/p>\n

Lycopene Brain Benefits<\/h3>\n

A study<\/a> of rats, conducted in 2020, may have significant implications for human health. The compound Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor found<\/a> throughout our environment, from plastics to food cans, sporting goods, appliances, cash register receipts, eyeglass lenses, and medical equipment. BPA leaches from these items into the human body, where it\u2019s been found<\/a> in blood, sweat, and urine for many years now. Among its many harmful effects, BPA is a neurotoxin that can impair cognitive function.<\/p>\n

Researchers exposed rats to BPA. Some of the rats were also given lycopene to see if the carotenoid would protect them from some of the cognitive harm. The lycopene-fed rats performed significantly better on memory and cognition tests. Their hippocampi (the part of the brain associated with the consolidation of memory) were protected from BPA intoxication, and neuronal cells lived longer in the presence of lycopene.<\/p>\n

It turns out that lycopene might protect not just the brain, but the entire nervous system. <\/strong>Other conditions that can be helped by sufficient dietary or supplemental lycopene may include<\/a> neurodegenerative disorders, epileptic conditions, aging, spinal cord injury, neuropathy, and subarachnoid hemorrhage (which is bleeding in a specific region of the brain, and not the blood dripping from a spider\u2019s web after a particularly brutal meal).<\/p>\n

Lycopene for Skin Health<\/h3>\n

When we compliment someone on how young they look, we\u2019re usually referring to their skin (since unless we have x-ray vision, we\u2019re likely not able to see the functional age of, say, a kidney or spleen). What promotes healthy skin may also contribute to the slowing of the aging process. And one of lycopene\u2019s best antioxidant tricks may be protecting the skin from the sun and other environmental damage.<\/strong><\/p>\n

In 2017, researchers discovered<\/a> that supplementing diets with either lycopene or another antioxidant, lutein, protected people from ultraviolet damage to their skin. And a 2019 study found<\/a> that young people have more lycopene in their skin cells than older people, and that supplementation increased the concentrations in both groups.<\/p>\n

How Much Lycopene Do You Need?<\/h2>\n
\"Beautiful
iStock.com\/AaronAmat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before we talk about lycopene-containing foods and the possible benefits of supplementation, let\u2019s look at how much lycopene we actually need. While there\u2019s no Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for lycopene, we know that antioxidants like lycopene are necessary to combat the frequent oxidative stress from daily life and to prevent disease. So depending on your level of exposure to physical, chemical, and psychological stressors, you may need more or less lycopene and other antioxidants to restore balance and prevent damage.<\/p>\n

Based on epidemiological studies, it appears that appropriate and safe daily lycopene intake<\/a> can vary from 2 to 20 mg for most healthy people, and is easily obtained through the diet.<\/strong> However, if someone has cancer or cardiovascular disease, it\u2019s possible that higher doses, in the 35-75 mg\/day range, may be helpful.<\/p>\n

Lycopene Foods<\/h2>\n

The lycopene hall of fame features just a few fruits (and veggies like peppers and tomatoes that are technically fruits), unlike most other antioxidants that are plentiful in many plants. Here are the major lycopene-rich foods you\u2019ll come across.<\/p>\n

1. Tomatoes<\/h3>\n
\"Tomatoes
iStock.com\/Kuvona<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Lycopene\u2019s namesake, the tomato (if you call it by its fancy name, Lycopersicum esculentum<\/i>), is by far the world\u2019s largest dietary source of lycopene. It\u2019s estimated that 80% of the lycopene<\/a> consumed by humans globally comes from tomatoes and tomato products.<\/p>\n

One medium raw red tomato contains<\/a> about 3 mg of lycopene, while a cup of cooked red tomatoes has over twice<\/a> that amount \u2014 more than 7 mg.<\/strong> The \u201cred\u201d is important here \u2014 there\u2019s no lycopene in green or yellow tomatoes. Some varieties of purple tomatoes<\/a> do have lycopene, however.<\/p>\n

Whenever possible, get organic tomatoes to avoid pesticides<\/a>, or, if you have the space, time, and climate, grow your own. (Check out our article on how to grow tomatoes<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

2. Guava<\/h3>\n
\"Closeup
iStock.com\/Murilo Gualda<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Guava, a tropical fruit, is another lycopene superstar. It actually has the highest concentration of lycopene of any food<\/strong>. <\/span> A cup of raw guava beats out even cooked tomatoes, providing<\/a> 8.5 mg of lycopene. Avoid guavas processed with added sugar, as it significantly reduces<\/a> the concentration of lycopene. Cooking it is fine.<\/p>\n

3. Watermelon<\/h3>\n
\"Watermelon.\"
iStock.com\/Vitalina<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The red in watermelon is also an indicator of lots of lycopene. One cup of diced watermelon will give you almost 7 mg<\/a>, which comes out to 40% more<\/a> than raw tomatoes<\/strong>, on a pound-for-pound basis. (For our article on watermelon, click here<\/a>.)<\/p>\n

4. Papaya<\/h3>\n
\"Fresh
iStock.com\/okeykat<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Another lycopene-containing tropical fruit is papaya. A cup of raw papaya chunks provides a respectable amount of lycopene at 2.5 mg<\/a>. A lot of papayas are bioengineered<\/a> (especially rainbow papayas), so pay attention to labels if you want to avoid GMO varieties.<\/p>\n

5. Grapefruit<\/h3>\n
\"fresh
iStock.com\/virusowy<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Since you know that lycopene colors food red, you won\u2019t be surprised to learn that yellow grapefruit, for all its health benefits, isn\u2019t a source of lycopene. Pink and red grapefruits pack a lycopene punch, however \u2014 delivering almost 4 mg<\/a> per fruit.<\/p>\n

6. Red Bell Peppers<\/h3>\n
\"red
iStock.com\/Sergey Pavlov<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Red bell peppers have a modest amount, ranging<\/a> from 0.01 to 0.5 mg per fruit. Orange bell peppers, while rich in other carotenoids, have less lycopene<\/a> than the red ones. Conventionally grown bell peppers tend to be high in pesticide residue, so if you\u2019re looking to limit your exposure<\/a>, buy organic when possible, or grow your own.<\/p>\n

7. Persimmon<\/h3>\n
\"Fresh
iStock.com\/DiyanaDimitrova<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The Asian persimmons that contain lycopene are actually completely different varieties from the American persimmon. A single raw Japanese persimmon<\/a>, roughly 2.5\u201d in diameter, contains a modest 0.2 mg of lycopene. And that number rises as the fruit ripens<\/a>. While they are juicy and delicious, I\u2019m not sure I could eat the 25 persimmons daily required to get me to 5 mg. Good thing I also love other lycopene foods like tomatoes and watermelons<\/span> (and guavas, papayas, red peppers, and grapefruits, too)!<\/p>\n

Lycopene Bioavailability<\/h2>\n

A lingering question in biochemistry is the extent to which lycopene, like other carotenoids, is fully bioavailable<\/a> to us from the foods we consume. Unlike some foods that provide more nutrients when eaten raw, lycopene-containing fruits benefit from cooking, dehydration, and other processing methods. These techniques actually lead to the release of carotenoids and result in enhanced bioavailability.<\/p>\n

Another way to increase the bioavailability of lycopene is to eat lycopene-containing foods with a fat source.<\/strong> Like beta-carotene and other carotenoids, lycopene is fat-soluble rather than water-soluble.<\/span> For this reason, serving cooked tomatoes with olives or avocado (or a little olive oil or avocado oil<\/a>, if you include some oil in your diet) may actually be better than eating the tomatoes raw.<\/p>\n

Note that two people eating identical lycopene-rich foods may not absorb equal amounts. Age, gender, hormonal status, body mass and composition, blood lipid levels, smoking, and alcohol may influence the absorption of lycopene.<\/p>\n

Some foods also have greater lycopene bioavailability than others. For example, lycopene is approximately 2.6 times more bioavailable<\/a> from papayas than from tomatoes. That\u2019s due to the way papayas store lycopene \u2014 in very small crystalloids (which are water-soluble electrolytes).<\/p>\n

Are Lycopene Supplements Worth It?<\/h2>\n
\"Young
iStock.com\/andriano_cz<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Given concerns about bioavailability, and the health benefits that lycopene can confer, it makes sense to wonder about the wisdom of supplementation. If some is good, then doesn\u2019t it stand to reason that more is better?<\/p>\n

Not necessarily. Lycopene supplements are highly concentrated forms of the nutrient and don\u2019t necessarily work the same way in the body as lycopene from food.<\/strong> While marketing campaigns that tout \u201ctomatoes for lycopene\u201d and \u201coranges for vitamin C\u201d aren\u2019t incorrect, they do tend to reduce a highly complex and synergistic nutrient delivery system \u2014 a whole fruit \u2014 to a single nutrient. Tomatoes, like all plant foods, contain a variety of <\/span>antioxidants that work synergistically<\/span><\/a>, so they tend to be more effective than supplements, which offer isolated nutrients.<\/span><\/p>\n

While lycopene seems to be protective against multiple chronic diseases, studies have shown that dietary sources<\/a> are superior. And in some cases, supplementation<\/a> might actually have a detrimental effect.<\/p>\n

Lycopene-Containing Recipes<\/h2>\n

Below you\u2019ll find three delicious reasons to be excited about plant-based fruits and vegetables that contain lycopene. Since lycopene is a powerful antioxidant, we are jumping for joy at the diversity of lycopene recipes you can incorporate into your diet to reap its benefits. Whether sweet or savory, these plant-based recipes are serving up some serious yum!<\/span><\/p>\n

1. Watermelon Ceviche<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"Watermelon<\/p>\n

Contrary to popular belief, lycopene isn’t just found in tomatoes. It’s in several red, orange, and pink foods \u2014 like juicy sweet watermelon! This antioxidant-rich salad is sweet, refreshing, and super satisfying. What\u2019s more, Watermelon Ceviche is packed with other healing nutrients like carotenoids and vitamin C. This easy-to-make side or appetizer is delicious alongside vegetable chips or your favorite plant-based taco recipe.<\/span><\/p>\n

2. Basic Red Tomato Sauce<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"Basic<\/p>\n

Tomatoes are lycopene-loaded, making them antioxidant-rich (and very colorful). Plus, the lycopene content in these juicy red jewels becomes even more bioavailable with heat. Cooking down tomatoes, along with fragrant spices, into a luscious and savory sauce creates a concentrated tomato delight that is delicious on hearty pasta dishes or mouthwatering pizza slices. There\u2019s no need to spend hours standing at the stove to get that traditional Italian sauce your grandma used to make. Creating your own is simple, with just a few additional key ingredients like garlic, onion, oregano, and, of course, a little bit of love.<\/span><\/p>\n

3. Caramelized Cinnamon Grapefruit<\/a><\/h3>\n

\"Caramelized-Cinnamon-Grapefruit\"<\/p>\n

Pink grapefruit is one of those love \u2018em or leave \u2018em foods. If you typically pass it up, we\u2019re hoping that after you try grapefruit caramelized with cinnamon and maple syrup you\u2019ll become a lover! While those might not be two flavors you associate with grapefruit, the combination is surprisingly delightful. Also great about grapefruit (aside from its concentration of vitamin C) are its antioxidant properties. Loaded with lycopene, beta-carotene, and flavones<\/a>, these antioxidants will help to keep inflammation at bay and your body feeling good!<\/span><\/p>\n

Get Your Lycopene from Food<\/h2>\n

Lycopene is a potent dietary antioxidant that\u2019s found only in certain plant foods. It has the potential to help protect you from many chronic diseases, and may even help reverse the progression of certain conditions. You can increase its impact and absorption by cooking lycopene foods, and by eating them with a bit of healthy fat.<\/p>\n

While lycopene supplements exist, for most people whole foods are the best sources because of the synergistic way dietary plant compounds interact with each other and our bodies. Include lycopene-rich foods in your diet to help stave off oxidative stress and the diseases it causes – and for some culinary awesomeness.<\/p>\n

Tell us in the comments:<\/h4>\n
    \n
  • What are your favorite ways to enjoy tomatoes?<\/li>\n
  • What other lycopene foods are a regular part of your diet?<\/li>\n
  • What new lycopene-containing food or recipe will you try next?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Featured Image: iStock.com\/lillisphotography<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Lycopene is a nutrient that has only recently received the attention it deserves. One of the most potent anti-inflammatory antioxidants, lycopene appears to protect against a staggering array of chronic conditions, including cancer, heart disease, male infertility, and cognitive decline. But there are precious few dietary sources of this wonderful nutrient, and there are questions about its bioavailability. How much lycopene do you need, and what are the best sources?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":38604,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,2639,2641],"tags":[2622,19,108,1135,2338,1702,2555,1793],"class_list":["post-38511","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-blog","category-health","category-nutrients","tag-antioxidants","tag-brain-health","tag-cancer","tag-heart-health","tag-hormones","tag-inflammation","tag-phytochemicals","tag-skin-health","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nLycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Lycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Food Revolution Network\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:author\" content=\"foodrevolutionnetwork\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1254\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"836\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Ocean Robbins\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@oceanrobbins\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Ocean Robbins\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"16 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Ocean Robbins\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd\"},\"headline\":\"What Is Lycopene & How Can it Benefit Your Health?\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":2865,\"commentCount\":7,\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/iStock-172981060.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"Antioxidants\",\"Brain Health\",\"Cancer\",\"Heart Health\",\"Hormones\",\"Inflammation\",\"Phytochemicals\",\"Skin Health\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Blog\",\"Health\",\"Nutrients\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/\",\"name\":\"Lycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/iStock-172981060.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd\"},\"description\":\"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/iStock-172981060.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/iStock-172981060.jpg\",\"width\":1254,\"height\":836,\"caption\":\"Sliced Tomatoes at Market\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/blog\\\/lycopene-benefits-foods\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"What Is Lycopene & How Can it Benefit Your Health?\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/\",\"name\":\"Food Revolution Network\",\"description\":\"Healthy, ethical, sustainable food for all.\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd\",\"name\":\"Ocean Robbins\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/ocean-square.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/ocean-square.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/ocean-square.jpg\",\"caption\":\"Ocean Robbins\"},\"description\":\"Ocean Robbins is co-founder and CEO of the million-member Food Revolution Network, which champions healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all. A best-selling author and TEDx speaker, he's dedicated to empowering people to make healthier choices for themselves and the planet. His books include 31-Day Food Revolution and the cookbooks Powered By Plants and Real Superfoods with Nichole Dandrea-Russert.\",\"sameAs\":[\"foodrevolutionnetwork\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/oceanrobbins\"],\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/foodrevolution.org\\\/author\\\/oceanr\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Lycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About","description":"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Lycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About","og_description":"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.","og_url":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/","og_site_name":"Food Revolution Network","article_author":"foodrevolutionnetwork","article_published_time":"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00","article_modified_time":"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1254,"height":836,"url":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Ocean Robbins","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@oceanrobbins","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Ocean Robbins","Est. reading time":"16 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/"},"author":{"name":"Ocean Robbins","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/#\/schema\/person\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd"},"headline":"What Is Lycopene & How Can it Benefit Your Health?","datePublished":"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/"},"wordCount":2865,"commentCount":7,"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg","keywords":["Antioxidants","Brain Health","Cancer","Heart Health","Hormones","Inflammation","Phytochemicals","Skin Health"],"articleSection":["Blog","Health","Nutrients"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/","url":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/","name":"Lycopene Benefits & Foods You Need to Know About","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg","datePublished":"2022-10-07T17:00:00+00:00","dateModified":"2024-11-13T00:16:42+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/#\/schema\/person\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd"},"description":"Discover the health benefits of lycopene, whether you should take supplements, and the best lycopene-rich foods.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/iStock-172981060.jpg","width":1254,"height":836,"caption":"Sliced Tomatoes at Market"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/blog\/lycopene-benefits-foods\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"What Is Lycopene & How Can it Benefit Your Health?"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/#website","url":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/","name":"Food Revolution Network","description":"Healthy, ethical, sustainable food for all.","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/#\/schema\/person\/6fdf86123e23e8cde83843e347223ffd","name":"Ocean Robbins","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ocean-square.jpg","url":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ocean-square.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/cdn.foodrevolution.org\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/ocean-square.jpg","caption":"Ocean Robbins"},"description":"Ocean Robbins is co-founder and CEO of the million-member Food Revolution Network, which champions healthy, ethical, and sustainable food for all. A best-selling author and TEDx speaker, he's dedicated to empowering people to make healthier choices for themselves and the planet. His books include 31-Day Food Revolution and the cookbooks Powered By Plants and Real Superfoods with Nichole Dandrea-Russert.","sameAs":["foodrevolutionnetwork","https:\/\/x.com\/oceanrobbins"],"url":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/author\/oceanr\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38511","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=38511"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/38511\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/38604"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=38511"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=38511"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/foodrevolution.org\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=38511"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}