Lycopene – monograph.

Lycopene, a carotenoid without provitamin-A activity, is present in many fruits and vegetables. It is a red, fat-soluble pigment found in certain plants and microorganisms, including tomatoes and tomato-based products. Lycopene is also found in watermelon, papaya, pink grapefruit, and pink guava. It is more bioavailabe from both processed and cooked tomato products than from fresh tomatoes. Dietary intakes of tomatoes and tomato products containing lycopene have been shown in cell culture, animal, and epidemiological investigations to be associated with a decreased risk of chronic diseases, such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. In addition, serum and tissue lycopene levels have been inversely correlated with risk of lung and prostate cancers.