Super Tomatoes: The More Lycopene the Better?
By Michelle Fabio
Super tomatoes have arrived.
British supermarket chain Tesco claims that its “Healthy Living Tomato on the Vine” has up to twice the level of lycopene as an ordinary vine-ripened tomato.
Lycopene, which is what makes tomatoes red, is nature’s most powerful antioxidant; studies have shown that increased lycopene consumption can lead to decreased risks of heart disease as well as certain types of cancers, including breast, prostate, and colorectal.
Lycopene may also lower the amount of LDL or “bad” cholesterol.
Ian Reed, Tesco’s produce technical manager, insists that these super tomatoes won’t be the last specialty item from the supermarket chain. Tesco calls them “functional foods” and aim to develop more of them in the future.
“Functional foods such as tomatoes naturally have high levels of lycopene however this naturally-bred variety has even higher levels than standard ones and tastes great as well,” says Reed.
A pack of four or five of the lycopene-rich super tomatoes will cost £1.89 (roughly $3.70).
Would you buy them?
Source: ‘Cancer-fighting tomato’ on sale
April 26th, 2008 at 8:47 am
I would definitely buy the super tomatoes at that price. Just think about it in relation to a latte…and the tomatoes are actually good for you! I’ve been seeing more and more information about lycopene and its value in our diets. I just read an article about it’s benefits and I’ll be eating tomatoes for sure!
April 26th, 2008 at 10:25 am
Laughing at the latte line Karen; good thinking! And thanks for that link
April 26th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
I’d definitely buy them for that price…we pay more than that here now for a pound of not-nearly-as-nice.
April 27th, 2008 at 1:50 pm
Prices of fresh produce is really getting crazy, isn’t it? I’m lucky to get tomatoes fairly cheaply in southern Italy.
April 29th, 2008 at 6:17 am
Oops, prices “are” getting crazy….