Lycopene May Help Support Healthy Blood Pressure

Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. Researchers from the Isfahan University of Medical Sciences have found that supplementation with lycopene may help improve blood pressure.

For their study, the researchers used data from 10 randomized clinical trials that included 688 participants. The trials looked at the effect of lycopene supplementation on systolic and diastolic blood pressure.

Lycopene supplementation was found to significantly reduce systolic blood pressure, with an average reduction of 2.6 mmHg. The greatest effects were seen in participants with a baseline systolic blood pressure greater than 130 mmHg who took 15 mg of lycopene daily for at least 8 weeks.

Participants with diastolic blood pressure greater than 80 mm Hg at baseline also saw significant decreases in diastolic blood pressure.

The study was published online ahead of print on November 16, 2021 in the journal Journal of Herbal Medicine.