The ten major pharmacological effects of lycopene

Tomatoes have certain pharmacological effects and can help people prevent diseases. Here are the top ten pharmacological effects of tomatoes:

Pharmacological effects of tomato:

1. Prevent and inhibit cancer: The latest research results show that taking 30 mg of lycopene every day can prevent prostate cancer, digestive tract cancer, bladder cancer and other cancers. The human body cannot synthesize lycopene and must be taken from the diet. Eating a raw tomato can only absorb 0.05 mg of lycopene. Therefore, in the treatment of prostate diseases, supplementing lycopene is essential.

2. Protect cardiovascular system: In the occurrence and development of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein oxidation in the vascular endothelium is a key factor. Lycopene plays an important role in reducing lipoprotein oxidation. It is reported that oral administration of natural lycopene can reduce serum cholesterol to below 5.20 mmol/L. Lycopene is used to prevent and treat high cholesterol and hyperlipidemia, and can slow down the development of cardiovascular diseases.

3. Anti-ultraviolet radiation function: Lycopene can resist ultraviolet damage. Researchers supplemented 10 healthy people with 28 mg of carotene and 2 mg of lycopene for 1-2 months. The results showed that the area and severity of ultraviolet-induced erythema in the group taking lycopene were reduced.

4. Inhibit mutagenic effects: One of the important mechanisms of tumor formation is that tissue cells undergo gene mutations under the influence of external mutagens, and lycopene can block this process and play an anti-cancer role. For example, residents in the Mediterranean region use tomato sauce when frying and grilling fish and meat, which reduces the formation of mutagens such as amines during the cooking process. Therefore, although local residents like to eat fried and grilled foods that are prone to cancer, the incidence of cervical cancer, prostate cancer and liver cancer is very low.

5. Delaying aging and enhancing immunity: Lycopene can most effectively remove free radicals in the human body, maintain normal cell metabolism, and prevent aging. Lycopene is absorbed into the blood and lymph through the digestive tract mucosa in the body, and distributed to the testicles, adrenal glands, prostate, pancreas, breasts, ovaries, liver, lungs, colon, skin, and various mucosal tissues, promoting the glands to secrete hormones, thereby maintaining vigorous energy; removing free radicals in these organs and tissues, protecting them from damage, and enhancing the body's immunity. Indian scholars pointed out that lycopene can increase the number and vitality of sperm in infertile men, thereby curing infertility.

6. Lycopene can greatly improve skin allergies, eliminate skin dryness and itching caused by skin allergies, and make people feel relaxed and happy.

7. Lycopene protects mucous membranes. Lycopene exists in large quantities in various mucous membrane tissues in the body. Long-term use can improve various discomforts caused by the destruction of mucous membrane tissues in the body, such as dry cough, dry eyes, oral ulcers, and protect gastrointestinal mucosal tissues.

8. Lycopene also has a strong effect of sobering up. The metabolic process of alcohol in the human body is mainly redox reaction, which will produce a large number of free radicals. Taking lycopene on a regular basis can increase your alcohol tolerance; taking it before drinking has a significant sobering effect and can reduce the damage of alcohol to the liver; and taking it after being drunk can reduce symptoms of drunkenness such as headaches and vomiting.

9. Lycopene also has many physiological functions, such as preventing osteoporosis, lowering blood pressure, and alleviating exercise-induced asthma.

10. Lycopene has no side effects and is very suitable for long-term health care.