It is a carotenoid, the pigment that gives fruits and vegetables like tomatoes their distictive – and appetizing – red color.

Lycopene is also found in red carrots, watermelons and papayas. On the other hand, you won’t find it in strawberries or cherries, despite their color!

What is it used for? Most commonly, Lycopene supplements are used in a bid to to prevent atherosclerosis, cardiovascular disease and cancer. It is also known to be used to treat prostate cancer and asthma.

At the top of the Lycopene benefits lists is the fact that it is an antioxidant. Antioxidants scavenge and neutralize free radicals, and could therefore help prevent oxidative damage to DNA.

Of all the common carotenoids Lycopene appears to have the strongest antioxidant action, and it is therefore associated with a reduction in cancer risk.

It is this antioxidant action of Lycopene that has lead to substantial investment in scientific and clinical research – and lycopene supplements – to determine possible links between consuming Lycopene and advancing general health.