Tomatoes may help reduce the risk of heart attack and fight cholesterol, finds a new study published in the journal Molecular Nutrition and Food Research.
Researchers at Kyoto University have discovered that tomatoes contain a compound called 9-oxo-octadecadienoic, which boosts the oxidization of fatty acids and helps the liver metabolize lipids, working against the build up of too much fat in the blood, a condition known as dyslipidemia. Dyslipidemia has no symptoms, but can lead to heart attack and stroke, as well as cirrhosis of the liver.
Along with helping to regulate blood cholesterol, tomatoes also have other potential health benefits. Lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives tomatoes their characteristic red hue, is thought to ward off cancer and may help in the fight against diabetes. A stable compound, lycopene is not degraded by processing or cooking, so it remains present in tomato sauces and ketchup.
Tomatoes alone are not enough to ward off heart disease, but rather should be used as part of a healthy diet, notes Dr. Teruo Kawada, lead researcher of the study.