A chemical found in a specific variety of tomatoes has led to the development of a new pill that could help prevent heart disease and stroke.
Lycopene—the antioxidant-rich component that turns tomatoes red—has long been recognized for its health benefits. But prior attempts to develop it as a supplement have been hindered by difficulties in getting the body to absorb it.
Enter the tangerine tomato, which is grown primarily in Italy. Scientists say the extra-potent form of lycopene extracted from this variety of tomato can be more successfully absorbed—and, hence, a new supplement has been born.
The 7mg pill, called Ateronon, was introduced last week at an international meeting of cardiologists in London. Clinical studies show it reduced damaging changes to ‘bad’ cholesterol by more than 90 percent in a two-month period.
Further trials of the natural supplement will be conducted at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK, and at Harvard Medical School. Stay tuned for future developments.
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