Let’s start at the beginning.

Lycopene touches our lives from before they are fully our own and well into early childhood. According to studies antioxidant supplementation, particularly in the form of lycopene, may be beneficial to first-time mothers who are at a high risk for developing preeclampsia,¹ a pregnancy-related condition associated with high blood pressure, kidney damage, and other complications.

It appears that the benefits continue after birth, too. One study found that infants whose mothers consumed seven or more servings of fruit a day exhibited an increase in cognitive development.² That increase was enhanced even further by fruits containing lycopene.² In young children the carotenoid may act as a photoprotectant by defending delicate skin cells from ultraviolet (UV) light.³

¹ Sharma, JB, et al., Effect of lycopene on pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in primigravidas., Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Maulana Azad Medical College and associated Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, India.

² Bolduc, F.V., et al., Cognitive Enhancement in Infants Associated with Increased Maternal Fruit Intake During Pregnancy: Results from a Birth Cohort Stu..., EBioMedicine (2016),

³ Aust, O, et. al., Supplementation with tomato-based products increases lycopene, phytofluene, and phytoene levels in human serum and protects against UV-light-induced erythema. U.1 Institut für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie I, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany.

Breathe easy.

As we come into our own as adults, so does lycopene. Exercise is a vital part of any healthy lifestyle, and studies show that lycopene supplementation can ease exertion-induced stress in a variety of ways. The superstar carotenoid can help maintain healthy lungs during intense exercise,⁴ may improve vascular endothelial dilation in ultra-marathon runners,⁵ and may help prevent free radical damage induced by physical activity.⁶

⁴ Neuman, I, et al., Reduction of exercise-induced asthma oxidative stress by lycopene, a natural antioxidant., Department of Allergy, Hasharon Hospital, Golda Medical Center, Petach Tivka and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Israel.

⁵ Samaras, Antonios et al., Effect of a special carbohydrate–protein bar and tomato juice supplementation on oxidative stress markers and vascular endothelial dynamics in ultra-marathon runners. Food and Chemical Toxicology 69 (2014): 231-36.

⁶ Harms-Ringdahl, M et al., Tomato juice intake suppressed serum concentration of 8-oxodG after extensive physical activity. Nutrition Journal (2012): 11-29. doi:10.1186/1475-2891-11-29

This is a smooth move.

Skin is the body’s largest organ. As we grow older, it requires more upkeep to maintain its softness, radiance, and resilience. However, there is a positive association between antioxidant levels in skin and the perceived smoothness of the epidermis.⁷ Carotenoids like lycopene work hard from the inside out to keep skin looking and feeling healthy.

⁷ Stahl, W., et al., Photoprotection by dietary carotenoids: Concept, mechanisms, evidence and future development. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2011): 1-9. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201100232

Life always finds a way.

At our very core, we’re driven to ensure the survival of our species. Maintaining reproductive capabilities for as long as possible is an important part of that, and lycopene can help us achieve it by benefiting women’s and men’s bodies at different ages. For example, some studies have found that it can support healthy sperm viability and activity, thus helping to maintain fertility in men.^8,9

⁸ Durairajanayagam, D, et al., Lycopene and male infertility. Center for Reproductive Medicine, Glickman Urological and Kidney Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.

⁹ Gupta, NP, et al., Lycopene therapy in idiopathic male infertility--a preliminary report. Department of Urology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, 110029, New Delhi, India.

Beat it.

Cardiovascular wellness becomes an even higher priority as the years pass by. In middle-aged adults, carotenoids have a positive impact on heart health. In a human study, lycopene levels increased after supplementation and correlated with a decrease in oxidized, low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) cholesterol.¹⁰ Additionally the Mediterranean diet, which includes plenty of tomatoes and other plants high in phytonutrients, is thought to be a factor in supporting the health and longevity found in that part of the world as compared to Northern Europe and other Western countries.¹¹

¹⁰ Agarwal, S., et al., Tomato lycopene and low density lipoprotein oxidation: a human dietary intervention study. Lipids (1998): 981-984.

¹¹ Mordente, A, et al. Lycopene and cardiovascular diseases: an update. Curr Med Chem. (2011): 1146-1163.

Keep the vision thriving.

Carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin protect our eyes by working as powerful antioxidants. Lycopene is the most easily oxidized carotenoid out of this group, so it is thought to “sacrifice” itself to boost the beneficial properties of other phytonutrients.¹² While in circulation, lycopene in the blood supports the transport of lutein to the eye by protecting it from oxidation. Lycopene also repairs and “recycles” carotenoids that have been damaged, which reduces the chance that they’ll be turned into pro-oxidants.¹²

¹² Böhm, F., et al, Interactions of dietary carotenoids with activated (singlet) oxygen and free radicals: Potential effects for human health. Molecular Nutrition & Food Research (2012): 205-216. doi:10.1002/mnfr.201100222

Good to the bone.

Menopause can bring with it a host of symptoms as well as new health concerns. Osteoporosis is common at this time in life. In one study, postmenopausal supplementation with lycopene showed reduced oxidative stress parameters as well as the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide of Type I collagen (NTx) which is linked to osteoporosis.¹³ In another study, postmenopausal women on a 30-day lycopene-restricted diet showed a 20% increase in plasma levels of NTx.¹⁴

¹³Mackinnon, ES, et al., Supplementation with the antioxidant lycopene significantly decreases oxidative stress parameters and the bone resorption marker N-telopeptide of type I collagen in postmenopausal women. Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, St. Michael's Hospital, 30 Bond St., Toronto, ON, Canada M5B 1W8.

¹⁴ Rao, L., Lycopene consumption decreases oxidative stress and bone resorption markers in postmenopausal women. Osteoporosis International (2007): 109-115. doi:10.1007/s00198-006-0205-z

The more the merrier.

Our blood micronutrient levels change as we get older. Age is inversely associated with lycopene absorption,¹⁵ which means that it becomes less and less present in our bodies. The carotenoid is beneficial at every stage in life, but it’s crucial for older adults to follow a lycopene-rich diet and supplementation regimen in order to experience its positive effects.

¹⁵ Stuetz, W., et al., Plasma Carotenoids, Tocopherols, and Retinol in the Age-Stratified (35–74 Years) General Population: A Cross-Sectional Study in Six European Countries. Nutrients (2016): 614.

Slow it down.

Prostate health is a major area of concern for all aging men, and again our hero nutrient has a role to play here. Lycopene supplementation was found to have an effect on benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH),¹⁶ which is an enlargement of the prostate gland associated with age.

¹⁶ Silke, Schwarz, et al., Lycopene Inhibits Disease Progression in Patients with Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, Journal of Nutrition (2008): 49-53.