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Tomato Paste

Also known as: Tomato paste, processed tomato product, lycopene, Lycopersicon esculentum

Overview

Tomato paste is a concentrated form of tomatoes, produced by cooking and reducing fresh tomatoes, which significantly increases the concentration of beneficial nutrients, particularly lycopene. It is classified as a dietary supplement and functional food ingredient, primarily valued for its high antioxidant content. Its main applications include supporting cardiovascular health, potentially reducing cancer risk, and providing general antioxidant support. The processing involved enhances the bioavailability of lycopene, making it a more efficient source of this carotenoid compared to fresh tomatoes. Research on tomato paste and its primary bioactive compound, lycopene, is moderate, with several randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses exploring its health benefits, though some results show inconsistency due to variations in study design and lycopene delivery methods.

Benefits

Tomato paste consumption has demonstrated several evidence-based benefits, primarily related to cardiovascular health and antioxidant status. Studies show that daily intake (e.g., 70 g/day for 2-8 weeks) can significantly reduce total and LDL cholesterol while increasing HDL cholesterol, alongside improvements in antioxidant enzyme activities such as catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione peroxidase. It also reduces oxidative stress and lipid peroxidation postprandially, which is crucial for improving endothelial function. These benefits are particularly observed in healthy adults and individuals with elevated cardiovascular risk factors. While a meta-analysis suggests an association between higher lycopene intake and lower cancer risk and mortality, this association can become non-significant after adjusting for confounders, indicating less conclusive evidence for cancer prevention. Secondary effects include the inhibition of platelet aggregation by tomato pomace extract, suggesting potential antithrombotic properties. The time course for observing these benefits typically ranges from 2 to 8 weeks of consistent intake.

How it works

Tomato paste exerts its beneficial effects primarily through its potent antioxidant activity, largely attributed to lycopene. It reduces oxidative stress by scavenging free radicals and enhancing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes. This action helps protect against LDL cholesterol oxidation, a key step in atherosclerosis development. Furthermore, tomato paste modulates lipid metabolism, contributing to improved cholesterol profiles (reduced LDL, increased HDL). It also improves endothelial function, which is vital for vascular health, and can inhibit platelet aggregation, suggesting an antithrombotic effect. The bioavailability of lycopene is significantly enhanced in processed tomato products like paste due to heat-induced isomerization during processing, which converts lycopene into more absorbable forms.

Side effects

Tomato paste is generally considered safe for consumption, with no significant adverse effects reported in clinical trials. There are no commonly reported side effects (occurring in more than 5% of users), uncommon side effects (1-5%), or rare side effects (less than 1%) documented in the reviewed literature. No significant drug interactions have been reported; however, caution is advised for individuals on anticoagulant medications due to the potential for tomato pomace extract to inhibit platelet aggregation. There are no established contraindications for tomato paste consumption. While generally safe for healthy adults, specific data for special populations is limited. Overall, tomato paste is well-tolerated and poses a low risk of adverse reactions.

Dosage

The minimum effective dose of tomato paste observed in studies ranges from approximately 70 grams daily. For lycopene, the active compound, effective doses range from 1.44 to 75 mg per day. Optimal dosage ranges for improving lipid profiles and antioxidant status appear to be around 70 g/day of tomato paste or 10-30 mg/day of lycopene. There is no established maximum safe dose, with trials using up to 75 mg lycopene per day without reported adverse effects. Benefits are typically observed with consistent daily consumption over a period of 2 to 8 weeks. Processed tomato products like paste are recommended over fresh tomatoes due to their superior lycopene bioavailability. Co-ingestion with dietary fat significantly enhances lycopene absorption, making it a crucial absorption factor.

FAQs

Is tomato paste as nutritious as fresh tomatoes?

Yes, tomato paste is often more nutritionally dense than fresh tomatoes, especially regarding lycopene. The processing concentrates nutrients, and heat treatment enhances lycopene's bioavailability.

Can tomato paste reduce cardiovascular risk?

Tomato paste can improve lipid profiles and antioxidant status, which are beneficial for cardiovascular health. However, meta-analyses show mixed results on direct cardiovascular risk reduction, indicating more research is needed.

How long does it take to see benefits?

Benefits from consistent tomato paste intake, such as improved lipid profiles and antioxidant status, are typically observed within 2 to 8 weeks of daily consumption.

Are there safety concerns?

Tomato paste is generally safe with no significant side effects reported in clinical trials. Caution is advised for individuals on anticoagulants due to potential effects on platelet aggregation.

Does lycopene from tomato paste work better than supplements?

Lycopene from processed tomato products like paste generally has better bioavailability than from raw tomatoes or many supplement forms, making it a more effective dietary source.

Research Sources

https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2025.1516048/full – This meta-analysis of prospective studies found an association between higher lycopene intake and lower cancer risk and mortality. However, some associations lost significance after adjusting for confounders, suggesting potential residual confounding and highlighting the need for further research.
https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/nutrition/articles/10.3389/fnut.2022.849841/full – This systematic review and included RCTs demonstrated that tomato paste reduces LDL cholesterol, increases HDL cholesterol, improves antioxidant enzyme activities, and reduces oxidative stress and platelet aggregation. Despite some small sample sizes and short durations in individual RCTs, the findings consistently point to lipid and antioxidant benefits.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32652029/ – This systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 studies found conflicting evidence regarding lycopene's effects on blood pressure and lipids, with no significant pooled effects observed. The study highlighted high heterogeneity across interventions, variable lycopene doses, and diverse delivery forms as key limitations, underscoring the complexity of lycopene research.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8803485/ – This article discusses the enhanced bioavailability of lycopene in processed tomato products compared to fresh tomatoes. It explains that heat-induced isomerization during processing converts lycopene into more absorbable forms, making tomato paste a more efficient source of this carotenoid.