Other
Lycopene
Lycopene is the red carotenoid pigment that colors tomatoes, watermelon and pink grapefruit. Tomato products are the main source in the diet.
Tomato extract is not a synonym for pure lycopene
Products may use tomato-derived, fungal or synthetic lycopene. Some tomato complexes contain other carotenoids and plant compounds as well. The blood-pressure review illustrates why the product specification matters: standardized extract and synthetic lycopene did not give interchangeable results. 1 2 3
Read the active ingredient behind the claim
The German consumer authority notes that certain permitted claims on combination products refer to added vitamins, rather than lycopene. A separate authorized claim for a particular water-soluble tomato concentrate also does not establish benefits for every tomato or lycopene product. 1