Lycopene may still sound foreign to some people. This substance is classified as a carotenoid compound that gives yellow, orange, or red pigments to vegetables and fruits. Behind its attractive color, lycopene also has various health benefits.
Lycopene is found in many colorful vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, grapefruit, carrots, watermelon, papaya, and guava.
Lycopene also has an antioxidant effect that is useful for counteracting free radicals and preventing various risks of disease, such as heart disease, atherosclerosis, and cancer. In addition to vegetables and fruit, you can get lycopene from the consumption of certain supplements.
Benefits of Lycopene for Body Health
Lycopene in fruits and vegetables contains a variety of health benefits, including:
1. Prevent cancer
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that can prevent and inhibit the growth of several types of cancer. Several studies have shown that lycopene can inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells and breast cancer.
2. Reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease
There are many studies that show that the consumption of foods containing lycopene, either in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables or processed into juices and salads, has been shown to reduce levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase good cholesterol (HDL) in the blood.
This is what makes lycopene very good for maintaining heart health and controlling blood pressure. Lycopene is also known to be good for consumption to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, such as heart disease and stroke.
3. Maintain bone health
In addition to vitamin D and calcium, lycopene intake is also important to keep bones healthy and strong. The antioxidant properties of lycopene can counteract cell damage to bone tissue that causes bone fragility. Lycopene also plays a role in bone formation and increases bone density.
4. Prevents skin damage from the sun
If you are often outdoors, consumption of foods containing lycopene is highly recommended. Studies show that lycopene can reduce redness of the skin and help the healing process of skin damaged by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays.
However, lycopene is not a substitute for sunscreen. You are still encouraged to wear sunscreen every time you go outside.
5. Maintain lung health and function
Lycopene is an antioxidant that is good for maintaining the health of lung cells. So far, several studies have shown that lycopene can improve lung function and even prevent the recurrence of asthma symptoms.
Lycopene is also known to be good for reducing lung damage in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
However, the benefits of lycopene still need to be studied further. To date, there are no studies that can confirm the effectiveness of lycopene as a treatment.
In addition to the five benefits above, lycopene is also good for consumption to increase endurance and maintain brain health and function, such as preventing senile dementia and increasing concentration power.
How to Safely Take Lycopene Supplements
Lycopene available in supplement form is generally safe for consumption. When you want to take lycopene supplements, make sure you first understand the instructions for use and use them according to the recommendations listed on the product packaging.
Although generally safe for consumption, lycopene supplements can sometimes cause some side effects, such as diarrhea, stomach pain, bloating, nausea, and vomiting.
In addition, the use of lycopene supplements during pregnancy should also be avoided, because it is feared that it can increase the risk of premature birth and low birth weight.
So, consult your doctor first before you take any type of supplement so that the doctor can adjust the dosage according to your body condition.
The benefits of lycopene for the health of the body are not small. Therefore, you can include fruits and vegetables rich in lycopene in your daily diet. If you want to know more about the benefits of lycopene, you can consult a nutritionist.