Lycopene put to the test

Lycopene is frequently hailed as a wonder ingredient, associated with preventing cancer and heart disease. But researchers are now beginning to question its effects.

"There are quite a lot of studies showing that tomatoes can benefit health," says Dr Kirsten Brandt, senior lecturer at Newcastle University's School of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development.

However, what has not been proven beyond all reasonable doubt is whether it is the lycopene in tomatoes, which offers these benefits. "A lot of people have tried to show that the tomato effect is caused by lycopene," says Brandt. "Companies are trying to make claims, but they're struggling, because they haven't really done a definitive study."

Brandt believes that much more research needs to be done looking at other tomato components in order prove whether or not lycopene is the most powerful ingredient. "If you pick the winner from the beginning and don't look at the others, it's not convincing, so we need to do it properly," she says.

Brandt has submitted a project proposal to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council's Diet and Health Research Industry Club to study tomato components in more detail.

"I want to experiment with red and yellow tomatoes. They have exactly the same properties, except for lycopene, which only appears in the red type," she says. "So if the yellow ones turn out to be as powerful as the red ones, then we know that the effect isn't caused by lycopene."

What makes tomatoes a particularly appealing prospect for manufacturers is that, unlike other fruits and vegetables, they demonstrate higher levels of lycopene when they are processed. But if it turns out that lycopene is not as beneficial as it is made out to be, then certain manufacturers may have to seriously rethink their research and development strategies.

As the world's largest tomato processor, Heinz is a key player in lycopene research. It has funded projects looking at how lycopene can combat a multitude of diseases including osteoporosis and cancer. Earlier this year, it even announced that its Cream of Tomato Soup could improve men's fertility. "It's good to know that Heinz Cream of Tomato Soup could boost your mojo and give guys extra oomph," said a company spokesman.