Examining the Health Benefits of Lycopene

Examining the Health Benefits of Lycopene

Proceedings of the Ceres® Forum on the Health Benefits of Tomato Lycopene are now available!

On April 1-2, 2003, the Center for Food and Nutrition Policy in collaboration with the H. J. Heinz Company convened an International Ceres® Forum, Examining the Health Benefits of Lycopene from Tomatoes. The forum brought together scientists from the United States, Canada, Italy, Israel, and India to share their research on various health benefits of lycopene in tomatoes. The proceedings from this conference are now available for no charge though the Center for Food and Nutrition and Agriculture Policy at http://agresearch.umd.edu/CFNAP/. Click here to download the proceedings.

Lycopene, the red antioxidant pigment found naturally in tomatoes, processed tomato products, and watermelon is associated with reduced risk of prostate cancer. As the conference speakers and participants showed, however, lycopene in tomato products may have health benefits for women as well as men. New research showed that this carotenoid may benefit the bones, which could mitigate risk for osteoporosis. Moreover, there is new evidence that lycopene could improve fertility in men.

The conference featured three notable policymakers: former Senator Robert Dole, a prostate cancer survivor; Congressman Michael Burgess, a practicing obstetrician; and Ms. Beth Johnson, special advisor to former Secretary of Agriculture Ann Veneman.

If you have any further questions about the proceedings for Examining the Health Benefits of Lycopene, please contact CFNAP at 301-405-8003 or mailto:cfnap@umd.edu. These proceedings can also be found at www.lycopene.org/.