Is Lycopene safe?

Introduction

Lycopene, a potent antioxidant found predominantly in tomatoes and tomato-based products, has been extensively studied for its potential health benefits and safety. This synthesis aims to evaluate the safety of lycopene based on multiple research studies.

Key Insights

General Safety and Health Benefits:
- Lycopene intake is generally safe and beneficial for multiple health outcomes, including reduced risks of all-cause mortality, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers .
- Lycopene exhibits a good margin of safety and can be obtained through various methods such as plant extraction, chemical synthesis, and microbial fermentation .
Toxicity and Safety Assessments:
- Studies on tomato oleoresin containing high amounts of lycopene Z-isomers showed no significant toxic effects in acute and subacute toxicity tests in rats, indicating its safety for human consumption.
- Lycopene has been found to be non-mutagenic in genotoxicity tests and does not cause clinically significant changes in vital signs or laboratory test values during repeated-dose toxicity tests.
Potential Allergies and Pollution:
- While generally safe, caution is warranted for potential allergies and pollution-related issues associated with lycopene intake.
Protective Effects Against Toxins:
- Lycopene has been shown to protect against various natural and chemical toxins, including mycotoxins, bacterial toxins, heavy metals, pesticides, and herbicides, due to its antioxidant properties.
Mechanisms of Action:
- Lycopene's health benefits are primarily attributed to its antioxidant properties, but it also involves other mechanisms such as intercellular communication, hormonal and immune system modulation, and regulation of metabolic pathways .

Conclusion

Lycopene is generally considered safe for human consumption, with extensive studies supporting its beneficial effects on various health outcomes. While it is non-toxic and non-mutagenic, caution should be taken regarding potential allergies and environmental pollutants. Overall, lycopene's antioxidant properties and other biological mechanisms contribute to its protective effects against chronic diseases and toxins.

Summary

Consensus Meter

Introduction

Key Insights

Conclusion

Sources and full results

Tomato and lycopene and multiple health outcomes: Umbrella review.

Tomato and lycopene intake is generally safe and beneficial for multiple health outcomes, but the quality of evidence is not high.

Safety assessment of a natural tomato oleoresin containing high amounts of Z-isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide.

Tomato oleoresin containing high amounts of Z-isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide is safe for human consumption.

Lycopene in protection against obesity and diabetes: A mechanistic review.

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, exhibits anti-obesity and anti-diabetic properties, potentially due to its anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, and its ability to regulate signaling pathways and AchE activity.

Lycopene as a Natural Antioxidant Used to Prevent Human Health Disorders

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, is a potent antioxidant that can help prevent various health disorders, including cancer, diabetes, and heart complications.

Lycopene: Its Properties and Relationship to Human Health

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, may reduce the risk of chronic diseases like cancer and coronary heart disease through various mechanisms, including antioxidant properties and hormonal and immune system modulation.

Protective effect of lycopene against chemical and natural toxins: A review

High intake of lycopene in fruits and vegetables can decrease the risk of both natural and chemical toxins, potentially benefiting health and reducing inflammation.

Multitargeted therapy of cancer by lycopene.

Lycopene, found in tomatoes and other fruits, may reduce prostate cancer risk by inducing apoptosis and antiproliferation in cancer cells, and potentially upregulating antioxidant response elements.

Lycopene – a bioactive carotenoid offering multiple health benefits: a review

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, offers multiple health benefits, including lower risks of cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and neurodegenerative diseases.

Lycopene for the prevention of prostate cancer.

Lycopene does not show a statistically significant reduction in prostate cancer incidence or prostate cancer-specific mortality in randomized controlled trials.

Overview of Mechanisms of Action of Lycopene

Lycopene, found in tomatoes, may reduce cancer risk by inhibiting cancer cell growth, reducing mutagenesis, and promoting cell differentiation and immunity.

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