Benefits of Tomatoes to Lower Cholesterol Levels

Benefits of tomatoes to lower cholesterol levels - Lycopene found in tomatoes and other red fruits are effective agent for lowering bad cholesterol (LDL). Thus the conclusion of research by the University of Adelaide, Australia, published in the journal Maturity. According to a study involving 700 people, the lycopene in tomatoes is as effective as cholesterol-lowering drugs, without any muscle pain or weakness that is a side effect of these drugs.

For those who crave a natural solution for cholesterol problems, in addition to lowering cholesterol, Lycopene also helps you reduce blood pressure, protect from cancer, preventing cataracts and macular degeneration and other diseases.

Lycopene in tomatoes can lower cholesterol levels

The researchers found that high doses of lycopene (25 mg or more per day)  but not low doses can reduces bad cholesterol and lower systolic blood pressure. Consumption of 25 mg of lycopene per day can lower bad cholesterol by about 10%. The results are equivalent to the effects of low doses of statin (a drug that is commonly taken to lower blood cholesterol). Lycopene is a number that can be obtained from 50 grams of tomato sauce, 100 grams of whole tomatoes or tomato juice 300 ml.

Chemically, lycopene is present in two forms, called cis and trans. Raw tomatoes are rich in lycopene in the trans form. However, this form is poorly absorbed in the body. Cooking tomatoes transform into cis form. Therefore, tomato pasta or sauce provide more lycopene to the body than raw tomatoes. Eat the tomatoes along with fat and other carotenoids such as beta-carotene (found in many carrots) increased levels of lycopene absorption in the intestine. So, eat pizza or tomato in tomato juice mixed with carrot is more effective to provide the intake of lycopene compared to eat tomatoes only.

So, this is all about benefits of tomatoes to lower cholesterol levels, for those of you who have high cholesterol, please apply this result of study. However, if you feel tired of eating tomatoes every day, you can intersperse with other foods that contain lycopene. Lycopene is part of the family of carotenoids, antioxidant pigment that gives color to yellow-orange fruits and vegetables. In addition to tomatoes, red watermelon, orange, papaya, and guava are also rich in lycopene. When eating fruits it too boring, do not worry. There are still many other foods that can lower cholesterol.