lycopene

Lycopene is a pigment that gives vegetables and fruits, such as tomatoes, pink grapefruit and watermelon, their red color. It also appears to have strong antioxidant capabilities. Several studies suggest that consumption of foods rich in lycopene is associated with a lower risk of prostate, endometrial and breast cancer and cardiovascular disease.
 * What is lycopene?**

Since lycopene is not produced in the body, you can only obtain its benefits by eating foods rich in lycopene. The best and most common sources of lycopene for Americans are tomato products. Over 80 percent of the lycopene consumed in the U.S is provided through eating spaghetti sauce, tomato juice, ketchup and pizza sauce. Other fruits and vegetables such as watermelon and pink grapefruit also provide lycopene but in smaller amounts. It must be noted that the body absorbs lycopene much beter when tomatoes have been cooked than when they are eaten fresh.

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