Sunday, May 12, 2013

Lycopene: A Good Weapon To Improve Overall Wellness


Through science, people nowadays have a better understanding on what a healthy and well-balanced diet should comprise. Fruits and vegetables are essential and irreplaceable elements of a healthy diet; not only are they attractively bright-colored and delightfully flavored, they are also jam-packed with lots of nutrients such as Lycopene which is necessary to enhance better health.

Some notable nutrients these foodstuffs provide include antioxidants like vitamin C and E, beta-carotene, and lycopene. A number of health benefits can be attributed to Lycopene, which is the antioxidant responsible for giving certain fruits and veggies their red color (e.g. carrots and tomatoes).

This nutrient not only fights against body oxidants, it also has powerful anti-proliferative properties that control the negative effects of free radicals in the body. It is said that the richest and most optimal source of Lycopene are tomatoes. The benefits of Lycopene to human health have become more established through the years with the help of several researches. Even though some credited benefits are yet to be proven through further studies, many founded claims are available and can be used to achieve optimum health and wellness.

Cancer
Probably the most celebrated health benefit of Lycopene consumption is its ability to fight against several types of cancers. Lycopene in tomatoes and other tomato-based products is believed to combat cancer-producing strains and prevents DNA damage in the lungs, breasts, colon, prostate and other vital organs of the body that are vulnerable to carcinogen attacks.

Heart Disease
By breaking down bad cholesterols (LDL) in the body, Lycopene helps people lower down and maintain cholesterol levels at a normal and essentially acceptable range. Managing cholesterol levels can somehow ascertain a person's protection from developing atherosclerosis. The antiatherogenic effect of Lycopene prevents the clogging and hardening of the arteries, which is common among people who experience frequent hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol).

Macular Degeneration
Intake of Lycopene may benefit the eyes too. As people age, they become more prone to eye damage and deterioration. Several scientists claim that Lycopene play a very significant role in reducing ocular cellular damage cases worldwide. Just like beta-carotene from carrots, Lycopene from tomatoes can be powerful weapons against potentially disadvantageous eye conditions.

Exercise-induced Asthma
Studies reveal that a week long increase in the intake of Lycopene-rich foods can prevent asthma attacks triggered by exercise.

Infertility
A diet rich in Lycopene can be good and beneficial for men who suffer from infertility. Certain compounds found in the nutrient can remedy hormonal imbalances, thereby giving men more chances of fathering children.

People should not solely depend on Lycopene for the prevention or treatment of any medical condition. It can help, but many of its promising benefits to health are yet to be established and confirmed by conducting more in-depth studies that can yield definitive evidences.

Only one thing is for sure, be it from Lycopene or other nutrients, the health benefits of fruits and vegetables are overflowing. So better make sure that you fill your diet with these healthy and delicious fares every time you eat to ensure optimal wellness.

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