Can Lycopene Prevent Heart Attacks?

Michael A. Smith MD

For years, researchers have tried to zero in on the reason why the Mediterranean diet is heart-healthy.

Although it’s known that olives and wine — both major staples — are amazingly good for the heart, it’s not entirely clear why the Mediterranean region suffers fewer heart attacks than the rest of Europe.

Scientists from the University of Cambridge set to find out by giving a group of volunteers a “tomato pill”.

Why? Because they suspected tomatoes (more specifically lycopene) may be behind the heart benefits of the Mediterranean diet.

Lycopene Improves Endothelial Function

Scientists recruited 36 …read more