Lycopene in Tomatoes May Help Prevent Weight Gain

Recent research indicates that lycopene, the natural pigment responsible for the bright red color of tomatoes and watermelons, could play a role in supporting healthy liver function and reducing the risk of weight gain. The study, presented at the 2025 American Physiology Summit in Baltimore, explored how compounds in tomatoes influence factors related to obesity.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory agent naturally produced by certain plants. While available as a dietary supplement, its safety and effectiveness are not yet evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and its health benefits are still under investigation.

The researchers were inspired by earlier findings showing that estrogen supplements could prevent obesity in zebrafish, even when overfed. Since lycopene and other tomato compounds interact with pathways similar to estrogen, scientists hypothesized that tomato consumption might have a comparable effect.

Dr. Samantha St. Clair, the study's lead author, explained, "Our research assesses the interactions between tomatoes, estrogen, and mechanisms of obesity prevention. We focused on whether lycopene reduces inflammation in the liver, contributing to weight management."

The team conducted experiments with zebrafish fed either a normal diet or a high-fat diet, alongside various combinations of tomato extract, estrogen, and lycopene supplements. The results showed that fish on a high-fat diet supplemented with tomato extract were more protected against weight gain than those given estrogen. Interestingly, fish given both estrogen and lycopene showed lower blood sugar levels, suggesting that lycopene may enhance fat breakdown in the liver.

Remarkably, significant metabolic changes were observed after just one week of supplementation, indicating that short-term dietary interventions could positively influence weight regulation. Dr. St. Clair emphasized, "If metabolic benefits can be achieved in such a short period, it suggests anyone could see benefits with small dietary adjustments within a few weeks."

Further analyses are ongoing to understand how tomato consumption affects gene expression related to inflammation, fat processing, and estrogen metabolism. The researchers also aim to examine how different types of tomatoes affect lycopene content and metabolic impacts.

This study highlights the potential of incorporating tomatoes into the diet as a natural strategy for obesity prevention and metabolic health. However, more research is needed to confirm these effects in humans and determine optimal tomato or lycopene intake levels.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-compound-tomatoes-stave-weight-gain.html