Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid pigment that gives tomatoes and other red fruits their color. It acts as an antioxidant in the body.

What foods are high in lycopene?

Tomatoes and tomato products are major sources, along with red fruits like watermelon and pink grapefruit. Cooked or processed tomato products are often more bioavailable than raw tomatoes.

What are the main benefits of lycopene?

Lycopene is studied for antioxidant protection and support of cardiovascular health. Higher dietary intake is also linked to a lower risk of some cancers, especially prostate, though supplement evidence is mixed.

How much lycopene should I take per day?

Common supplemental intake ranges are about 15–45 mg per day. Many people aim to get lycopene primarily from foods over the long term.

Should lycopene be taken with food?

Yes, lycopene is fat-soluble, so taking it with a meal that contains some fat can improve absorption. This also applies to lycopene-rich foods.

313 wetenschappelijk onderbouwde voedingsstoffen

3251 bronnen geraadpleegd

Informatie ingedeeld naar bewijs

Verken op doel of categorie

Voedingsstof vinden

Populaire keuzes

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)Vitamin D3 Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)Zinc (Bisglycinate)

313 voedingsstoffen totaal

Vitamin B

Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

Vitamin B5 (Pantothenic Acid)

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid)

Vitamin B12 (Methylcobalamin)

Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)

Vitamin A & Carotenoids

Vitamin C

Vitamin D

Vitamin E

Vitamin K

Vitaminoids

Trimethylglycine (Betaine)

NMN (Nicotinamide Mononucleotide)

Pyrroloquinoline Quinone (PQQ)

D-Chiro-Inositol

Coenzym Q10 (Ubiquinone)

Betaine HCL

Nicotinamide Riboside

Vitamin B8 (Myo-Inositol)

Choline

Citicoline (CDP-Choline)

Coenzyme Q10 (Ubiquinol)

Calcium

Calcium Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Magnesium

Magnesium Bisglycinate

Magnesium L-Threonate

Trace Minerals

Copper (Bisglycinate)

Chromium Picolinate

Manganese (Bisglycinate)

Zinc

Pentadecanoic Acid (C15:0)

Phosphatidylserine

R-Alpha Lipoic Acid

Black Cumin Oil

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Ceratiq wheat oil extract

Phospholipids

Algae Oil

Fish Oil

Conjugated Linoleic Acid

Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid

Alpha-Linolenic Acid

Gamma-Linolenic Acid

Omega-3

Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA)

Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)

AminoMar

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

PABA (para-aminobenzoic acid)

Essential Amino Acids

Conditionally Essential Amino Acids

L-Theanine

Non-Essential Amino Acids

Beta-Alanine

L-Cysteine Hydrochloride

Amino Acid Derivative

Taurine

Creatine (Hydrochloride)

L-Arginine Alpha-Ketoglutarate

Creatine (Monohydrate)

Akkermansia muciniphila

Lactobacillus Reuteri

Probiotics

Bifidobacterium longum BB536

Prebiotics

Stinging Nettle Extract

Pomegranate Polyphenols

Red Beet Extract

Pine Extract (Pycnogenol)

Oligomeric Proanthocyanidins (OPC)

Ashwagandha Root Extract

Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM)

Citrus Sinensis Extract

Horsetail Stem Extract

Flax Seed Extract

Sulforaphane Glucosinolate

Garlic Extract

Black Pepper

Apricot Kernel Extract

Lovage

Spiny Rest Harrow Root Extract

Juniper Berry Extract

Bearberry Leaf Extract

White Kidney Bean Extract

Lady’s Mantle Extract

Bitter Orange Extract

St. John’s Wort Extract

Japanese Knotweed Extract

Hydroxytyrosol/tyrosol

Olive extract

Sesame seed lignan extract

Broccoli Sprout Extract

Cranberry Extract

Flavon Glycosides

Gentian Root Extract

Griffonia simplicifolia Extract

Ajuga Turkestanica Extract

Amaranthus Leaf Extract

Banaba Extract

Boswellia Extract

Capsaicin

Cayenne Pepper Extract

Celery Extract

Ceylon Cinnamon Extract

Chamomile Extract

Charantin

Chinese Goldthread Root Extract

Citrus Aurantium Extract

Cocoa Extract

Cyanotis Arachnoidea Extract

Fadogia Agrestis Extract

Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Goldenrod Extract

Green Tea Extract

Guarana Extract

Horse Chestnut Extract

Grapefruit Seed Extract

Grape Vine Leaf Extract

Green Tea Polyphenols

Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)

Adaptogens

Cordyceps sinensis extract

Ginsenoside

Lion's Mane (Hericium erinaceus)

Ginseng Extract

Cat's Claw (Uncaria tomentosa)

Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna)

Tribulus Terrestris Extract

Rhodiola rosea

Panax Ginseng Extract

Mushrooms

Reishi Extract

Astragalus Polysaccharides

Hyaluronic Acid

Glucosamine Sulfate

Chondroitin Sulfate

Glucosamine Sulphate 2KCL

Lycopene

Moderate study situation·7/10

A higher score indicates better study conditions, but not necessarily effectiveness.

Lycopene is a fat-soluble carotenoid antioxidant found in red fruits, studied for cardiovascular and cellular health benefits, best obtained from the diet.

Cardiovascular Support Cancer-inhibitor Antioxidant Cholesterol Management

dose range

15–45 mg

Once daily with a meal containing fat.

Consumption

Take lycopene supplements with a meal that contains some fat to enhance absorption.

Fat-soluble: take with fat.

Best time

Supplementation is best done with main meals (first or second meal of the day).

Description

Lycopene is a naturally occurring red pigment primarily found in tomatoes and other red fruits. It is a powerful antioxidant and has been investigated for its potential role in preventing chronic diseases. Most benefits are linked to long-term dietary intake instead of supplementation.

benefits

Main effects with level of evidence

Moderate

Note on evidence

Population studies and intervention trials suggest benefits of dietary lycopene, but evidence for supplements is less robust.

Support for cardiovascular health

Moderate

Dietary lycopene is associated with reduced LDL cholesterol levels and supports healthy blood pressure, potentially lowering cardiovascular disease risk.

Particularly relevant for: adults · people with elevated LDL cholesterol · individuals seeking to maintain heart health

S1 · NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals S5 · Examine.com – Lycopene S6 · Rao AV, Rao LG. Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res. 2007;55(3):207-16.

Antioxidant protection

Moderate

Lycopene is a potent antioxidant that neutralizes free radicals and protects cellular structures from oxidative damage.

Particularly relevant for: general population · older adults

S1 · NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals S5 · Examine.com – Lycopene S6 · Rao AV, Rao LG. Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res. 2007;55(3):207-16.

Potential cancer risk reduction (especially prostate)

Limited

Higher lycopene intake through diet is linked to a lower risk of some cancers, especially prostate; evidence for supplements is mixed.

Particularly relevant for: men · individuals with family history of prostate cancer

S1 · NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals S7 · Linnewiel-Hermoni K, et al. Lycopene and cancer: new mechanistic insights. Front Oncol. 2014 Aug 18;4:42.

Safety & Information

Important safety information & known risks

For educational purposes only • not medical advice

Lycopene from food sources is very safe; high-dose supplements may cause minor gastrointestinal discomfort and should be used with caution in certain populations.

warning notices

GI distress such as nausea, diarrhea, or bloating may occur at high doses (>45 mg/day).
No established toxic dose, but long-term safety beyond 6 months is not clear.
Pregnancy and lactation safety unclear for supplemental doses.
Avoid supplementing with lycopene if you are pregnant or breastfeeding unless supervised by a healthcare provider.
Use with caution and under medical guidance if taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications due to possible increased bleeding risk.
Discontinue use and consult a clinician if you experience persistent gastrointestinal discomfort while supplementing lycopene.

Known interactions with medications

warfarin
anticoagulants

Contraindications / special precautions

pregnancy
lactation (supplemental use)

interactions

Important interactions between active ingredient ↔ supplement / medication / food

Lycopene may interact with certain blood thinners and can affect absorption of some other carotenoids.

Lycopene may increase the effect of warfarin and similar anticoagulants.

drug · warfarin

CautionLimited

Why

Lycopene may enhance the risk of bleeding when combined with blood thinners.

recommendation

Monitor for signs of increased bleeding if combined, and use under medical supervision.

S2 · WebMD - Lycopene S3 · Drugs.com - Lycopene

Lycopene supplementation may competitively inhibit absorption of other carotenoids like beta-carotene.

nutrient · beta-carotene

CautionLimitedSeparate by 2h

Why

High doses of lycopene may reduce plasma levels of beta-carotene through competition for absorption.

recommendation

Consider separating high-dose lycopene supplementation from other carotenoid supplements.

S1 · NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals S5 · Examine.com – Lycopene

mechanisms of action

Brief explanations of how it works

Antioxidant activity

Lycopene neutralizes reactive oxygen species and protects lipids, proteins, and DNA from oxidative stress.

S1 · NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals S6 · Rao AV, Rao LG. Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res. 2007;55(3):207-16.

Modulation of cell signaling pathways

Lycopene influences gene expression associated with inflammation, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, potentially underlying its suggested cancer and cardiovascular protective effects.

S6 · Rao AV, Rao LG. Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res. 2007;55(3):207-16.S7 · Linnewiel-Hermoni K, et al. Lycopene and cancer: new mechanistic insights. Front Oncol. 2014 Aug 18;4:42.

Sources & References

Primary literature and reviews on which these statements are based

7 sources

NIH ODS: Lycopene Fact Sheet for Health Professionals

WebMD - Lycopene

Drugs.com - Lycopene

EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA). Scientific Opinion on the safety of lycopene from all sources and of the proposed extension of use. EFSA Journal 2010

Examine.com – Lycopene

Summary of evidence on health effects and safety.

Rao AV, Rao LG. Carotenoids and human health. Pharmacol Res. 2007;55(3):207-16.

Linnewiel-Hermoni K, et al. Lycopene and cancer: new mechanistic insights. Front Oncol. 2014 Aug 18;4:42.

Laatst bijgewerkt: 13 februari 2026

This information is for educational purposes only and does not replace medical advice.