ABSTRACT
Until recently breeding efforts have centered on crop high-yield production while ignoring fl avor and taste quality traits of mass produced food products including tomatoes, talk not about their nutritive value and health promoting phytochemicals and other qualities. Several epidemiologic studies have suggested a role of tomato products in protecting against cancer and chronic diseases. To examine this scientifi cally, Porrini and Riso (2000) evaluated whether the consumption of 25 gram tomato puree (containing 7 mg lycopene and 0.3 mg β-carotene) for 14 consecutive days increases plasma and lymphocyte carotenoid concentration, and whether this is related to an improvement in lymphocyte resistance to oxidative stress. Before and after the period of tomato intake, carotenoid concentrations were analyzed and lymphocyte resistance to oxidative stress was determined. Intake of
tomato puree increased plasma and lymphocyte lycopene concentration and reduced lymphocyte DNA damage by approximately 50%. β-Carotene concentration increased in plasma but not in lymphocytes after tomato puree consumption. An inverse relationship was found between plasma lycopene concentration and lymphocyte lycopene concentration, and the oxidative DNA damage. In conclusion, small amounts of tomato puree added to the diet over a short period can increase carotenoid concentrations and resistance of lymphocytes to oxidative stress.
