By Michelle Fabio

Plant & Food Research, along with Lincoln University, is claiming that tomato sauce may actually be better than raw tomatoes if you want to add more lycopene to your diet.

The research suggests that lycopene is reduced only in small amounts when tomatoes are eaten raw, but processed tomatoes may actually make the lycopene easier to absorb and digest.

Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant found naturally in tomatoes and other red-colored fruits and vegetables that reduces the amount of damage done to body cells by oxygen; it is believed to help prevent cancers, heart disease, and other illnesses.

Read the whole story: Forget tomatoes, try tomato sauce.

By Michelle Fabio

In honor of Heart-Healthy Awareness Month in February, Dei Fratelli is reminding its customers that many of its tomato products have no salt added, making them as heart healthy as possible.

Dei Fratelli tomato products that contain less than 20 milligrams of sodium per serving include:
• Crushed Tomatoes
• Crushed Tomatoes with Basil & Herbs
• Tomato Puree
• Whole Tomatoes
• Whole Tomatoes in Puree

Another heart smart option from Dei Fratelli is its Low Sodium Diced Tomatoes.

“We have heard from our consumers that making sure they Read the rest of this entry »

By Vanessa Richins

I am beginning to wonder if there is anything lycopene CAN’T do.

A new study suggests that it can help reduce the damage done by endometriosis.

Endometriosis is a condition in females where uterine cells wander to other locations in the pelvis and attach there.

The result are adhesions (scars), inflammation and pain. It can negatively affect fertility as well.

Now, a study presented at the American Society of Reproductive Medicine conference in San Francisco showed that Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

Scientists in England have created a tomato that they say may be even more healthy than the traditional red variety.

By injecting genes from the snapdragon flower, including the all-important antioxidant pigment called anthocyanin, researchers at the John Innes Centre, Norwich have created purple tomatoes that research suggests provide more health benefits than red tomatoes.

Along with giving snapdragons, blackberries, and cranberries their rich colors, anthocyanin is also believed to inhibit cancer cell growth, help eyesight, and fight cardiovascular, age-related degenerative diseases, diabetes, and obesity.

In the experiments by Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

We know that tomatoes are good for us.

From their lycopene alone, we may be getting protection from any number of cancers and heart disease, but did you know that tomatoes may also hold the key to fighting Alzheimer’s Disease?

It is believed that Alzheimer’s, the most common cause of dementia, is caused by the accumulation of the protein beta-amyloid, which in turn kills neurons in the brain, affecting memory.

If scientists can manage to prevent this accumulation through immune system stimulation, Alzheimer’s Disease may be slowed down or even prevented.

And so, in Korea, researchers used tomatoes, which carry a small percentage of Read the rest of this entry »

By Michelle Fabio

Protecting your skin from sun damage may get a little easier thanks to a new extract from our favorite fruit, the tomato.

LycoRed, a company that specializes in the development and production of plant extracts, has zeroed in on oleoresin from LycoRed’s specially-bred tomatoes.

Studies have shown that this tomato extract works to defeat free radicals and block harmful UV radiation from reaching the skin, potentially lowering risks of skin cancer as well as premature aging.

Lyc-O-Mato wouldn’t be recommended as a substitute Read the rest of this entry »