Food Sources of Lycopene

Lycopene sources aren’t naturally developed in a human body but have to be consumed through certain foods and fruits to maintain a balanced self-diet. Learn about them in the article below.

Researchers and their studies have proven that lycopene is a bioflavonoid which is nearly related to beta-carotene. A lycopene consumption through a diet will constitute a dominance of 50% of carotenoid sources in a human blood serum. So you might be eager to know what is lycopene exactly? Well, say it can be defined as a pigment that gives colors to the appearance of various foods and fruits. Like the watermelon has a red color and grapefruit has pink, similarly other food sources of lycopene hold this potent antioxidant called lycopene powers.

Beneficial Facts

As we know that lycopene are carotenoids which are natural pigments. These pigments act as antioxidants in the human body. Our knowledge of antioxidants has always reminded us that they reduce free radicals present in the body and strengthen the immune system as well. Due to this plus point lycopene as a substance reduces high risk of lung cancer, heart diseases, other types of cancer like breast, cervical, digestive tract, prostate cancer and other maladies in the human body. It helps to regulate a healthy and a good digestive system throughout one’s life.

Sources of Lycopene

Regular consumption of lycopene is very essential and hence it is necessary to include it in our daily diet. Lycopene supplements can be found from various places like, a retailers shop, over the internet or in any local medical stores. Well whatever be your source of purchase, just ensure that you buy it from a reliable store, reading in advance all the product details and price ranges. Generally, sources of lycopene can be foods or fruits containing small amounts of the same in them. Let’s take a look at some common names of foods and fruits that are contain lycopene.

Foods and Fruits

Red Vegetables and Fruits

• Watermelons
• Tomatoes
• Apricots
• Pink Grapefruits
• Pink Guavas

Some Processed Tomato Products

• Tomato Ketchup
• Tomato Juice
• Tomato Soup
• Tomato Sauce
• Tomato Paste

With a short glance at these sources, you must have got a gist of the subject that lycopene is something which is not formulated by the body, but has to be consumed via vegetables and fruits in our regular diet. Lycopene as a source is better ingested when consumed through cooked or processed food products rather than raw. Here is a table given below which include some of the best sources of lycopene.

It would be best if you consulted a physician before starting any supplementary diet routine. Doctors are the best people to warn you if there are any side effects entailing the supplements you take in, like, anti-reactions or food allergies, etc. All these pointers are vital before beginning any sort of a regime.