International Journal of Food Science and Nutrition

Authors
Moumita Barik, Pradnya Bhujangrao Dhutmal, K Sumana Mounya, Madhurima Kar

Abstract
Tomato is major source of many established phytochemicals and nutrients that may have health benefits. Lycopene is the red-coloured carotenoid found in fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, carrots but the richest source of lycopene is tomato. The salutary effects of lycopene in human health and specifically in chronic diseases are mainly analogous with it's antioxidant properties. Lycopene is leading carotenoid found in tomatoes, manifest the elevated antioxidant activity and single oxygen extinguish ability of all dietary carotenoid. Processing of tomatoes will increase their bioavailabilty of the lycopene. It has been studied that consumption of tomatoes containing lycopene will decrease the risk of some chronic diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases. Tomato is actually fruit not an vegetable and it have lot's of nutrients in it which is helpful for a human body. Tomato contains vitamin A, D, B-6, calcium, iron and potassium. Tomato not only prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases but also high cholesterol level and lowering blood pressure. The redder the colour of tomato you eat, the more beta-carotene you get. Tomato will help to detoxify the toxicity from the body. The red-coloured pigment in tomato called as lycopene.