TOMATO: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Tomato is a plant. The fruit is a familiar food, but the fruit, leaf, and vine are also sometimes used to make medicine.

Some people use tomato for high blood pressure, osteoarthritis, cancer, and many other uses, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Tomatoes contain a chemical called lycopene, which is thought to play a role in preventing cancer. It's easier for the body to use lycopene that comes from tomato products, such as tomato paste or tomato juice, than from fresh tomatoes. Tomato might also help reduce the risk of heart disease and sun damage.

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Purdue University researchers are developing a tomato that contains more than twice as much lycopene and has a longer shelf life than currently available tomatoes. The tomato, which is still in development, is modified with a yeast gene that slows the ripening process, allowing more time for lycopene to accumulate. Researchers think it will be several years before this tomato is on store shelves.

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

Bladder cancer. Eating more tomato products does not seem to decrease the risk of bladder cancer.
Breast cancer. Eating more tomato products does not seem to decrease the risk of breast cancer.
Diabetes. Eating more tomato products does not seem to decrease the risk of diabetes. It also doesn't seem to reduce blood sugar levels in people with diabetes.

Insufficient Evidence for

Heart disease. Limited research has found that eating more tomato-based foods is associated with a decreased risk of heart attack and stroke.
Cataracts. Eating more than 3 servings of tomatoes each week may help to prevent cataracts.
Cervical cancer. Limited research has found that eating more tomatoes is linked with a lower risk of developing cervical cancer.
Colon cancer, rectal cancer. Some studies suggest that tomatoes or tomato-based products may help to reduce the chance of getting this type of cancer. But other studies have found no benefit.
Asthma caused by exercise. Early research suggests that taking a specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) seems to reduce symptoms in people who get asthma attacks from exercise.
Stomach cancer. So far, research studies do not agree on whether or not tomatoes or tomato-based products can help prevent stomach cancer.
High levels of cholesterol or other fats (lipids) in the blood (hyperlipidemia). Tomatoes containing the chemical lycopene seem to reduce lipid levels in the blood.
High blood pressure. Early research shows that a specific tomato extract (Lyc-O-Mato) might lower blood pressure by a small amount in people with high blood pressure.
Lung cancer. Some research suggests that tomatoes or tomato-based products can help prevent lung cancer. But these studies have been criticized because they didn't take people's smoking behavior into account. Higher quality, large-scale studies do not show any link between eating tomato products and the risk for lung cancer.
Muscle strength. Early research suggests that eating tomatoes more frequently has been linked to a slower decline in hand-grip strength in older adults.
Ovarian cancer. Some research suggests that eating more tomato or drinking more tomato juice doesn't seem to prevent ovarian cancer. But some research suggests that consuming tomato sauce two or more times per week does seem to lower the risk of developing ovarian cancer.
Pancreatic cancer. One large study shows that eating tomato or tomato-based products does not seem to prevent pancreatic cancer. But other studies suggest that raw tomato intake, and high tomato intake in general, is linked with a reduced chance of developing pancreatic cancer.
Prostate cancer. Some research suggests that the risk of getting prostate cancer is decreased modestly in men who eat tomato products, including tomatoes, tomato sauce, pizza, or tomato juice, one time or more per week. But other research has found no benefit.
Arthritis.
Common cold.
Chills.
Digestive disorders.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of tomato for these uses.

View References

REFERENCES:

Paran, E., Novack, V., Engelhard, Y. N., and Hazan-Halevy, I. The effects of natural antioxidants from tomato extract in treated but uncontrolled hypertensive patients. Cardiovasc.Drugs Ther. 2009;23(2):145-151. View abstract.

Ried, K., Frank, O. R., and Stocks, N. P. Dark chocolate or tomato extract for prehypertension: a randomised controlled trial. BMC.Complement Altern.Med. 2009;9:22. View abstract.

Rizwan, M., Rodriguez-Blanco, I., Harbottle, A., Birch-Machin, M. A., Watson, R. E., and Rhodes, L. E. Tomato paste rich in lycopene protects against cutaneous photodamage in humans in vivo: a randomized controlled trial. Br.J.Dermatol. 2011;164(1):154-162. View abstract.

Asero R, Mistrello G, Amato S. Airborne allergy to tomato proteins. Allergy. 2010;65(12):1626-7. View abstract.

Borel P, Desmarchelier C, Dumont U, et al. Dietary calcium impairs tomato lycopene bioavailability in healthy humans. Br J Nutr. 2016;116(12):2091-2096. View abstract.

Chen J, Song Y, Zhang L. Lycopene/tomato consumption and the risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis of prospective studies. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2013;59(3):213-23. View abstract.

Cheng HM, Koutsidis G, Lodge JK, Ashor AW, Siervo M, Lara J. Lycopene and tomato and risk of cardiovascular diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of epidemiological evidence. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2019;59(1):141-158. View abstract.

Clinton SK, Emenhiser C, Schwartz SJ, et al. Cis-trans lycopene isomers, carotenoids, and retinol in the human prostate. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 1996;5:823-33. View abstract.

Cramer DW, Kuper H, Harlow BL, Titus-Ernstoff L. Carotenoids, antioxidants and ovarian cancer risk in pre- and postmenopausal women. Int J Cancer 94:128-34.. View abstract.

Dalbeni A, Treggiari D, Tagetti A, et al. Positive Effects of Tomato Paste on Vascular Function After a Fat Meal in Male Healthy Subjects. Nutrients. 2018;10(9):1310. View abstract.

Engelhard YN, Gazer B, Paran E. Natural antioxidants from tomato extract reduce blood pressure in patients with grade-1 hypertension: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study. Am Heart J 2006;151:100. View abstract.

Etminan M, Takkouche B, Caamano-Isorna F. The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2004;13:340-5. . View abstract.

FDA. Qualified Health Claims: Letter Regarding "Tomatoes and Prostate, Ovarian, Gastric and Pancreatic Cancers (American Longevity Petition)" (Docket No. 2004Q-0201). 2005. https://wayback.archive-it.org/7993/20171114023213/https://www.fda.gov/Food/IngredientsPackagingLabeling/LabelingNutrition/ucm072760.htm. Accessed on May 20, 2020.

Friedman M. Tomato Glycoalkaloids: Role in the Plant and in the Diet. J Agric Food Chem. 2002;50(21):5751-80. View abstract.

Gann PH, Deaton RJ, Rueter EE, et al. A Phase II Randomized Trial of Lycopene-Rich Tomato Extract Among Men with High-Grade Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia. Nutr Cancer. 2015;67(7):1104-12. View abstract.

Gann PH, Ma J, Giovannucci E, et al. Lower prostate cancer risk in men with elevated plasma lycopene levels: results of a prospective analysis. Cancer Res 1999;59:1225-30. View abstract.

Gartner C, Stahl W, Sies H. Lycopene is more bioavailable from tomato paste than from fresh tomatoes. Am J Clin Nutr 1997;66:116-22. View abstract.

Giovannucci E, Ascherio A, Rimm EB, et al. Intake of carotenoids and retinol in relation to risk of prostate cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 1995;87:1767-76. View abstract.

Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Liu Y, et al. A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst 2002;94:391-8. View abstract.

Giovannucci E. Tomatoes, tomato-based products, lycopene, and cancer: review of the epidemiologic literature. J Natl Cancer Inst 1999;91:317-31. View abstract.

Kavanaugh CJ, Trumbo PR, Ellwood KC. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration's evidence-based review for qualified health claims: tomatoes, lycopene, and cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst 2007;99:1074-85. View abstract.

Kirsh VA, Mayne ST, Peters U, et al. A prospective study of lycopene and tomato product intake and risk of prostate cancer. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2006;15:92-8. View abstract.

La Vecchia C. Mediterranean epidemiological evidence on tomatoes and the prevention of digestive-tract cancers. Proc Soc Exp Biol Med 1998;218:125-8. View abstract.

Michalickova; D, Belovic; M, Ilic; N, Kotur-Stevuljevic; J, Slanar; O, Sobajic; S. Comparison of Polyphenol-Enriched Tomato Juice and Standard Tomato Juice for Cardiovascular Benefits in Subjects with Stage 1 Hypertension: a Randomized Controlled Study. Plant Foods Hum Nutr. 2019;74(1):122-127. View abstract.

Montonen J, Knekt P, Jarvinen R, Reunanen A. Dietary antioxidant intake and risk of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care 2004;27:362-6. View abstract.

Neuman I, Nahum H, Ben-Amotz A. Reduction of exercise-induced asthma oxidative stress by lycopene, a natural antioxidant. Allergy 2000;55:1184-9. View abstract.

Nishimura M, Tominaga N, Ishikawa-Takano Y, Maeda-Yamamoto M, Nishihira J. Effect of 12-Week Daily Intake of the High-Lycopene Tomato (Solanum Lycopersicum), A Variety Named "PR-7", on Lipid Metabolism: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Parallel-Group Study. Nutrients. 2019;11(5). pii: E1177. View abstract.

Nkondjock A, Ghadirian P, Johnson KC, Krewski D. Dietary intake of lycopene is associated with reduced pancreatic cancer risk. Canadian Cancer Registries Epidemiology Research Group. J Nutr 2005;135:592-97. View abstract.

Norrish AE, Jackson RT, Sharpe SJ, Skeaff CM. Prostate cancer and dietary carotenoids. Am J Epidemiol 2000;151:119-23. View abstract.

Olmedilla B, Granado F, Southon S, et al. A European multicentre, placebo-controlled supplementation study with alpha-tocopherol, carotene-rich palm oil, lutein or lycopene: analysis of serum responses. Clin Sci (Lond) 2002;102:447-56. View abstract.

Paetau I, Khachik F, Brown ED, et al. Chronic ingestion of lycopene-rich tomato juice or lycopene supplements significantly increases plasma concentrations of lycopene and related tomato carotenoids in humans. Am J Clin Nutr 1998;68:1187-95. View abstract.

Ren Z, Huang C, Momma H, et al. High Tomato and Tomato Product Consumption is Protective Against the Decline in Handgrip Strength Among Japanese Adults: The Oroshisho Study. J Epidemiol. 2018;28(9):397-403. View abstract.

Rowles JL 3rd, Ranard KM, Applegate CC, Jeon S, An R, Erdman JW Jr. Processed and raw tomato consumption and risk of prostate cancer: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis. Prostate Cancer Prostatic Dis. 2018;21(3):319-336. View abstract.

Sesso HD, Liu S, Gaziano JM, Buring JE. Dietary lycopene, tomato-based food products and cardiovascular disease in women. J Nutr 2003;133:2336-41.. View abstract.

Shidfar F, Froghifar N, Vafa M, et al. The effects of tomato consumption on serum glucose, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, homocysteine and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2011;62(3):289-94. View abstract.

Stram DO, Hankin JH, Wilkens LR, et al. Prostate cancer incidence and intake of fruits, vegetables and related micronutrients: the multiethnic cohort study. Cancer Causes Control 2006;17:1193-207. View abstract.

Tavani A, Negri E, La Vecchia C. Food and nutrient intake and risk of cataract. Ann Epidemiol 1996;6:41-6.. View abstract.

Tzonou A, Signorello LB, Lagiou P, et al. Diet and cancer of the prostate: a case-control study in Greece. Int J Cancer 1999;80:704-8. View abstract.

Uddin M, Biswas D, Ghosh A, O'Kennedy N, Duttaroy AK. Consumption of Fruitflow lowers blood pressure in pre-hypertensive males: a randomised, placebo controlled, double blind, cross-over study. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2018;69(4):494-502. View abstract.

USDA. NCC Carotenoid Database for U.S. Foods. 1998. Available at: https://www.nal.usda.gov/fnic/foodcomp/Data/car98/car98.html.

Valderas-Martinez P, Chiva-Blanch G, Casas R, et al. Tomato Sauce Enriched with Olive Oil Exerts Greater Effects on Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factors than Raw Tomato and Tomato Sauce: A Randomized Trial. Nutrients. 2016;8(3):170. View abstract.

Wang L, Liu S, Manson JE, et al. The consumption of lycopene and tomato-based food products is not associated with the risk of type 2 diabetes in women. J Nutr 2006;136:620-5. View abstract.

Watzl B, Bub A, Blockhaus M, et al. Prolonged tomato juice consumption has no effect on cell-mediated immunity of well-nourished elderly men and women. J Nutr 2000;130:1719-23. View abstract.

Wolak T, Sharoni Y, Levy J, Linnewiel-Hermoni K, Stepensky D, Paran E. Effect of Tomato Nutrient Complex on Blood Pressure: A Double Blind, Randomized Dose?Response Study. Nutrients. 2019;11(5). pii: E950. View abstract.

Yang T, Yang X, Wang X, Wang Y, Song Z. The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of gastric cancer: a meta-analysis of epidemiologic studies. Med Hypotheses. 2013;80(4):383-8. View abstract.

Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities

What Vitamins Do You Need as You Age?

Think You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

Navigating Life With Migraine

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

TOMATO

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Possibly Ineffective for

Insufficient Evidence for

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Dosing

You Might Also Like

WebMD Special Sections

Health Solutions

More from WebMD