About this ingredient
Ingredients
Lycopene is a naturally occurring carotenoid and non-provitamin A pigment found predominantly in tomatoes and tomato-based foods. It is responsible for much of the characteristic red color of ripe tomatoes and has antioxidant activity. Commercial supplements may use tomato extracts or purified lycopene, with the exact concentration and additional ingredients varying by product.
Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid naturally present in tomatoes, tomato juice, tomato paste, and other tomato-based foods. It is also found in smaller amounts in some other red or pink fruits. Unlike beta-carotene, lycopene is a non-provitamin A carotenoid, meaning it does not serve as a vitamin A precursor.
Lycopene is recognized for its antioxidant properties and has been extensively studied for its potential relationship with cardiovascular, metabolic, prostate, and other aspects of health. However, human evidence varies by outcome, and observational associations should not be interpreted as proof that lycopene supplements prevent or treat disease.
Lycopene supplements are commonly available as softgels, capsules, tomato extracts, and standardized carotenoid formulations. Commercial products can contain different amounts, with examples ranging from 5 mg to 20 mg per serving. Because lycopene is fat-soluble, some products recommend taking it with food.
When purchasing Lycopene, check the source, amount per serving, whether it is supplied as purified lycopene or tomato extract, serving instructions, additional ingredients, and manufacturer's quality information.