Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the leading cause of human mortality worldwide. Oxidative stress and inflammation are processes involved in the development of CVD. That is why bioactive food ingredients, like lycopene, are so important for prevention.
🥗 Tomatoes and olive oil, together, are a nutritional powerhouse!
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes. Besides giving tomatoes their red hue, lycopene boasts high health benefits. Research suggests that including lycopene in your diet may help reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. ❤️
The combination of tomatoes and olive oil is an example of food synergy, where the nutritional benefits of each food are enhanced when consumed together.
- Lycopene Absorption and Heart Health Support. Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant known for its potential health benefits, including reducing the risk of certain cancers and promoting heart health. However, lycopene is a fat-soluble compound, meaning it is better absorbed when consumed with fats. Olive oil, being a healthy source of monounsaturated fats, aids in the absorption of lycopene from tomatoes by reducing bad cholesterol levels. And the lycopene content increases by 5–6 times on COOKING rather than eating them raw.
The Science: Lycopene in the Prevention of Cardiovascular Diseases
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