Lycopene Lowers Cardiovascular Risk

Cardiovascular disease is the number one killer on the planet.¹ By 2030 it is projected to affect a staggering 44% of the U.S. adult population.²

Lycopene has caught the attention of researchers for its potential cardiovascular benefits.

In preclinical studies, lycopene has demonstrated the ability to slow harmful changes that can lead to stroke and heart attack.^3-5

A review and meta-analysis of dozens of human population studies found that those with the highest intake or blood levels of lycopene had a:⁶

• 4% lower risk of cardiovascular disease,
• 26% lower risk of stroke, and
• 37% lower risk of death from any cause.

A human study published in 2025 demonstrated that consumption of lycopene-rich tomato juice improved a marker of endothelial dysfunction that threatens to progress into cardiovascular disease.⁷

Arteries and Heart Health

Arteries carry blood from the heart to the rest of the body where it is needed.

When healthy, arteries actively direct blood flow, dilating when more blood is needed and constricting when less is required.⁸

This regulation of blood flow is largely controlled by a layer of cells, the endothelium, lining the inside walls of the blood vessels.⁹

Several risk factors can lead to damage to arteries, including diet, smoking, high blood pressure, insulin resistance, high blood glucose, and abnormal blood lipid levels.^9,10

This damage can result in endothelial dysfunction, arterial stiffness, and the buildup of atherosclerotic plaque. The results: increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, peripheral vascular disease, blood clots causing heart attacks and strokes, and more.⁹

Maintaining healthy endothelial function is a critical step in preventing progression to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.^9,10 That’s where lycopene comes in.

Better Blood Vessel Function

Lycopene is a carotenoid with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-glycation properties.¹¹

It is a naturally occurring red pigment found in plants, particularly in fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, pink guava, papaya, pink grapefruit, and watermelon.¹²

Humans cannot synthesize carotenoids. Therefore, they must be obtained through diet and/or by taking supplements.¹³

Preclinical evidence suggests that when present in ample amounts, lycopene may help protect arterial health by reducing oxidative stress,^4,12 attenuating inflammation,^4,14 and inhibiting glycation—a harmful process in which sugar molecules attach to proteins or fats in the body that can cause widespread tissue damage,¹⁵ including kidney injury.¹⁶

Lycopene may also improve endothelial function, thereby supporting the ability of blood vessels to dilate in the face of various circulatory challenges.^7,17

A human study published in 2025 demonstrated that consumption of lycopene-rich tomato juice improved a marker of endothelial dysfunction that threatens to progress into cardiovascular disease.⁷

In that study, researchers in Japan recruited healthy adults with signs of early arterial dysfunction. They determined this using ultrasound to measure flow-mediated dilation, the ability of arteries to dilate in response to increased blood flow. Poor flow-mediated dilation is a marker of risk for future cardiovascular disease.

In this clinical study, participants had flow-mediated dilation in the borderline range of 4-7%.⁷ Normal function is considered above 7.1%, with a higher percentage indicating better function.¹⁸

One group received a placebo juice with barely any lycopene, another took 15 mg of lycopene as tomato juice, and a third took 26.7 mg of lycopene from high-lycopene tomato juice daily.

After 12 weeks, those receiving either of the tomato juices had significant improvements in arterial function. While the placebo group had an average score of 5.4%, the lower-dose lycopene group improved to an average of 6.1% and the higher-dose lycopene group was almost normal at 7%.⁷

Lycopene intake improved arterial function, which is associated with better cardiovascular health. In another trial, male participants were randomized to receive 6 mg or 15 mg of lycopene or a placebo. After eight weeks, the 15 mg lycopene group showed a significant 23% improvement in endothelial function from baseline, along with significant reductions in inflammatory markers and a beneficial increase in LDL particle size—effects not observed in the low-dose or placebo groups.¹⁹ The findings are consistent with the results of prior human studies showing that lycopene intake may help improve endothelial dysfunction and maintain cardiovascular health.²⁰

In another trial, male participants were randomized to receive 6 mg or 15 mg of lycopene or a placebo. After eight weeks, the 15 mg lycopene group showed a significant 23% improvement in endothelial function from baseline, along with significant reductions in inflammatory markers and a beneficial increase in LDL particle size—effects not observed in the low-dose or placebo groups.¹⁹

The findings are consistent with the results of prior human studies showing that lycopene intake may help improve endothelial dysfunction and maintain cardiovascular health.²⁰

Improved Cardiovascular Outcomes

These protective effects could have dramatic results. In human observational studies, higher lycopene intake has been associated with lower rates of cardiovascular disease and cardiovascular events.

One review and meta-analysis of population studies totaling more than 100,000 subjects found that those with the highest intake or blood levels of lycopene had a:⁶

• 14% lower risk of cardiovascular disease,
• 26% lower risk of stroke, and
• 37% lower risk of death from any cause.

Evidence from preclinical, clinical, and observational studies suggests that lycopene may support arterial and cardiovascular health and may favorably affect several cardiovascular disease risk factors.^{6,12,17,20-24}

How Lycopene Helps

Lycopene may improve arterial function, which also protects the heart. Preclinical evidence indicates that higher lycopene blood levels or intake may have these effects through the following mechanisms:

• Help protect against oxidative damage and chronic inflammation,^4,12
• Help reduce damage caused by high blood sugar—including protecting blood vessel cells and blocking harmful chemical reactions (called glycation) linked to diabetes, and metabolic disease,^15,25
• Help inhibit abnormal proliferation of smooth muscle cells in the arterial walls that contribute to stiffness and arterial dysfunction,^17,26
• Help modulate factors associated with abnormal blood clotting,²⁷
• May help improve blood lipid levels,^3,28-30
• Help slow the progression of atheroscle-rosis,^17,21,31 and
• Help protect heart muscle from damage and preserve heart function following ischemic injury.^5,32,33

Human observational studies suggest that higher lycopene intake and circulating levels are associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome.^34-36 An observational study in a Chinese population reported that individuals in the highest quartile of serum lycopene concentrations had 61% lower odds of having metabolic syndrome compared to those in the lowest quartile.³⁴

Human observational studies also suggest that higher lycopene intake, or consumption of lycopene-rich foods such as tomatoes, may be associated with lower blood pressure.^20,37-39

In addition, a meta-analysis of 34 trials found that lycopene significantly reduced levels of malondialdehyde, a marker of oxidative stress.⁴⁰

Summary

Cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death worldwide.

The carotenoid lycopene has been shown to improve endothelial function in clinical studies and has demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and vascular protective effects in preclinical research.

In clinical studies, lycopene improved measures of endothelial function in individuals with impaired vascular function.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this article, please call a Life Extension Wellness Specialist at 1-866-864-3027.

References

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