Data from 30 women revealed that a daily glass of 280 mL of tomato juice containing 32.5 mg of lycopene was associated with an average reduction in waist circumference of 1.6 cm and more than one pound kg reduction in body weight.

The tomato juice supplements were associated with a 22% decrease in levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a potent marker of inflammation, and a 25% increase in adiponectin levels, according to findings published in Nutrition . Adiponectin is a hormone released from fat cells, which plays an important role in the regulation of insulin sensitivity and energy.

Packed With Lycopene And Antioxidants

Lycopene is an antioxidant that is present in red- and pink-colored fruits and vegetables. As well as being used as a food coloring, it is also used in supplements. The role of lycopene in heart health and in reducing the risk of metabolic diseases and certain cancers is supported by a body of research.

Tomato Juice contains phytonutrients including lycopene, beta-carotene, Vitamin E and more. In addition to reducing inflammation, regular consumption of Tomato Juice has been linked to helping to lower blood pressure, and it may even bolster immune function.

“In this study, we showed that, in young healthy Taiwanese women, tomato juice supplementation resulted in a decrease not only in adiposity indices, peroxidative stress, and serum cholesterol levels, but also in levels of the inflammatory adipokine MCP-1, and an increase in levels of the anti-inflammatory adipokine adiponectin,” wrote the researchers from the China Medical University in Taiwan.

Packed with a host of minerals and vitamins, tomato juice contains Vitamin A, K, B1, B2, B3, B5 and B6. It also comprises minerals such as iron, magnesium as well as phosphorous. Not only are these vitamins and minerals excellent for your health, but they’re also great for your skin and hair. Preferably use fresh tomatoes when you’re squeezing them for the juice.

Study details

The participants consumed 280 mL of tomato juice per day, containing 32.5 mg of lycopene

The researchers recruited 30 young generally healthy women and assigned them all to receive a daily glass of tomato juice for eight weeks. There was no control or placebo group, and the women were told to continue their normal diet and exercise schedule. Twenty-five women completed the study.

Results showed that, despite no changes in overall food intakes, the women displayed significant reductions in body weight, body fat, waist circumference, and BMI. Reductions in cholesterol and MCP-1 levels were also observed, while significant increases in levels of adiponectin, triglyceride, and lycopene were observed for the women.

“Chronic inflammation of adipose tissue is frequently observed in obesity and is alleviated by body fat reduction, while MCP-1 secretion by adipose tissue stimulates macrophage infiltration and increases inflammation,” wrote the researchers.

“Lycopene has been shown to modulate adipokine expression and secretion in animals and cell culture. In line with this notion, this dietary intervention trial demonstrated that tomato juice supplementation shifts circulating adipokine levels towards an anti-inflammatory profile. Moreover, this response was independent of the tomato juice-induced anti-adiposity effect.”

The researchers noted that a lack of placebo group is a weakness of the study, and added that because the women were of normal/healthy weight it is not possible to extend the findings to overweight and obese individuals.

Experts in Australia analysed the results of 14 international studies into the benefits of lycopene over the past 55 years. They concluded that it could provide a natural defence to raised levels of so-called ‘bad cholesterol’ — or low-density lipoprotein — in the blood.

The effect was comparable to small doses of statins which are used to treat millions with high cholesterol or blood pressure

According to Tufts and Boston University researchers, the highest average intakes of lycopene were linked to almost a 30% reduction in the incidence of cardiovascular disease and coronary heart disease, respectively, according to findings published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Read the Full Story at PreventDisease.com

Sources:
nutritionjrnl.com
ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
sciencedaily.com

Dr. Marianna Pochelli is a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine specializing in the treatment of disease through superfoods and herbal strategies. She actively promotes detoxification, colon cleansing, and a vegetarian lifestyle using living foods as a platform to health.