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Lycopene

Lycopene is the red carotenoid pigment that colors tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Tomato products are the main source in the diet.

LongevityOrgan FunctionHair & SkinCardiovascularStress & Mood

What it is studied for

The strongest rated effects first. Bars show the size of the effect, the letter grades the evidence, and each rating lists the studies behind it.

Oxidative stressLongevityModerateA3 studies
Prostate HealthOrgan FunctionModerateA3 studies
Skin textureHair & SkinModerateB2 studies
Blood pressureCardiovascularSmallB3 studies
Chronic StressStress & MoodSmallC2 studies
Hair GrowthHair & SkinSmallC2 studies
All 7 rated effectsGrouped by health goal, with the publications behind each rating

What can a tomato pigment do for health?

Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid, not a vitamin. Research spans prostate conditions, blood pressure and skin responses to sunlight, but the intervention matters: whole tomatoes, mixed extracts and isolated lycopene are different products. Findings from one cannot automatically be applied to the others. 1 2 3

Why researchers are interested

In laboratory and animal experiments, lycopene has affected oxidative damage and signals involved in cell growth. These findings offer possible explanations to test in people. The National Cancer Institute notes that human prostate trials have often been small and focused on intermediate measurements rather than survival or control of established disease. 2

Key studies

The most recent publications linked to Lycopene's ratings.

Lycopene: A Natural Arsenal in the War against Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Diseases2022Insufficient Lycopene Intake Is Associated With High Risk of Prostate Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study From the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2003–2010)2021Effect of tomato, lycopene and related products on blood pressure: A systematic review and network meta-analysis.2021Potential inhibitory effect of lycopene on prostate cancer.2020Effect of lycopene supplementation on cardiovascular parameters and markers of inflammation and oxidation in patients with coronary vascular disease2018
All 13 studiesEvery publication linked to Lycopene

Why people take it

Immune Support19.7%
Essential Health19.6%
Energy13.3%
Bone & Joint7.9%
Longevity7.8%
Cognition7.2%

SuppCo community snapshot, 2026-09-28. Reasons for use are not evidence that it works.

Questions people ask

Is lycopene a vitamin?

No. It is a carotenoid plant pigment and cannot be converted into vitamin A. 1 4

Does lycopene prevent prostate cancer?

Human trials have not established that benefit. The positive pilot study in benign prostate enlargement addressed a different condition. 2 5

Is cooked tomato better than raw tomato?

Cooking and processing generally make lycopene more available for absorption. That does not make raw tomatoes nutritionally useless or prove that either food treats disease. 1

Is 15 mg a recommended daily dose?

That amount was studied for six months in a small benign prostate enlargement trial. It is not an official daily requirement or a general treatment recommendation. 1 5

Can it regrow hair?

The linked experiment used topical preparations on mice. It does not establish hair regrowth from oral supplements in people. 6

Can a capsule replace sunscreen?

The skin trial examined molecular responses to UV light, not whether people could safely substitute a supplement for sunscreen. 7

Sources