Health Benefits of Lycopene
Lycopene is a natural compound found in many foods, from pizza sauce and ketchup to watermelons and grapefruits. It’s a chemical called a carotenoid, which are natural pigments that give color to plants, fruits, and vegetables.As a red carotenoid, lycopene is widely found in red and pink fruits and vegetables. It’s known as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, and because it’s still effective when heated, it’s easy to add to your diet through both fresh and processed foods.Health BenefitsLycopene’s main health benefit is its antioxidant function.Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals build up naturally in response to aging, but their levels increase due to environmental and behavioral factors like pollution and smoking.Free radicals cause cell damage — in high levels, this damage is linked to a wide range of health conditions, including cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. By stabilizing these free radicals, scientists believe that ly...