The Role of Tomato Products for Human Health (Solanum lycopersicum)- A Review

Abstract

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is most popular vegetable edible fruit.Tomato plants are dicots and grow as a series of branching stems, with a terminal bud at the tip that does the actual growing. The fruit is rich in lycopene which may have beneficial health effects. Carotenoid lycopene may be involved in cancer prevention, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, and limiting the mortality of other chronic diseases. The main objective of this paper is to review the medicinal role of tomato, in addition its nutritional and economical value. It is a fruit of good nutritive value as it is fairly rich in vitamins, and other minerals like calcium, phosphorus and iron. Considering its low cost, it qualifies for inclusion in the daily diet of young and growing children.. Lycopene has also been shown to improve the skin's ability to protect against harmful UV rays. People use fresh juice extract to stop excessive bleeding from wounds.. The antioxidant function of lycopene-its ability to help protect cells and other structures in the body from oxygen damage-has been linked in human research to the protection of DNA inside of white blood cells. Prevention of heart disease has been shown to be another antioxidant role played by lycopene against a growing list of cancers. A high dietary intake of tomato products significantly reduced total and LDL cholesterol levels. The serum concentration of lycopene was significantly diminished in patients with bronchial asthma as compared with healthy individuals. At the present time, definitive conclusions and recommendations remain controversial. However, ongoing research will continue to provide data regarding these relationships. At the present time, it is reasonable to recommend to the public that a diet rich in fruit and vegetables may contribute to a lower risk of many cancers. The research findings on various aspects of the role of tomato Products for Human Health are reviewed.

Keywords: Tomato, Carotenoid, Lycopene, Antioxidant, Prostate cancer