Lycopene Overview: What It Is and What It Does

Lycopene is the bright red carotenoid phytochemical that gives tomatoes and other red fruits their color. Because of its predominance in tomatoes, it derives its name from the Latin genus name for tomatoes. Lycopene also serves as a potent antioxidant in humans and is said to lower the risk of a variety of cancers. Information about its chemistry, safety (absence of toxicity), availability and pharmacokinetics, actions and mechanisms of action and anticarcinogenic properties, as well as results of various human clinical trials, are summarized in this overview.