Effect of tomato consumption on high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level: a randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

IntroductionEpidemiologic evidence suggests that tomato-based products could reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases. One of the main cardiovascular risk factors is low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the effect of tomato consumption on HDL-C levels.Subject and methodsWe conducted a randomized, single-blinded, controlled clinical trial. We screened 432 subjects with a complete lipid profile. Those individuals with low HDL-C (men <40 mg/dL and women <50 mg/dL) but normal triglyceride levels (<150 mg/dL) were included. Selected participants completed a 2-week run-in period on an isocaloric diet and then were randomized to receive 300 g of cucumber (control group) or two uncooked Roma tomatoes a day for 4 weeks.ResultsA total of 50 individuals (women = 41; 82%) with a mean age of 42 ± 15.5 years and a mean body mass index of 27.6 ± 5.0 kg/m2 completed the study. A significant increase in HDL-C levels was observed in the tomato group (from 36.5 ± 7.5 mg/dL to 41.6 ± 6.9 mg/dL, P < 0.0001 versus the control group). After stratification by gender, the difference in HDL-C levels was only significant in women. The mean HDL-C increase was 5.0 ± 2.8 mg/dL (range 1–12 mg/dL). Twenty patients (40%) finished the study with levels >40 mg/dL. A linear regression model that adjusted for those parameters that impact HDL-C levels (age, gender, waist-to-hip ratio, body mass index, fasting triglyceride concentration, simple sugars, alcohol, physical activity, and omega-3 consumption) showed an independent association between tomato consumption and the increase in HDL-C (r2 = 0.69; P < 0.0001).ConclusionRaw tomato consumption produced a favorable effect on HDL-C levels in overweight women.

Safety assessment of a natural tomato oleoresin containing high amounts of Z‐isomers of lycopene prepared with supercritical carbon dioxide

“…In the subacute oral toxicity test, there were no significant changes respect to vital signs, physical examination outcomes and laboratory test values during the test period, except for the hematological and clinical chemistry parameters such as TC, MCV, PLT and ALB (Tables and ). Several studies have reported that the ingestion of tomato products produces a significant increase in high‐density lipoprotein ( ‘good’) cholesterol, whereas low‐density lipoprotein ( ‘bad’) cholesterol decreases or hardly changes . Thus, we hypothesized that the increase in TC was mainly caused by the increase in high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in this test.…”

“…In the present study, we evaluated the safety of (Z)-lycopene-rich oleoresin ( (Tables 4 and 5). Several studies have reported that the ingestion of tomato products produces a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein ( 'good') cholesterol, 46 -49 whereas low-density lipoprotein ( 'bad') cholesterol decreases or hardly changes. 47 -52 Thus, we hypothesized that the increase in TC was mainly caused by the increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in this test.…”

Tomato and lycopene supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Seventeen publications that met our inclusion criteria were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis ( Table 1) [16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31][32].…”

Glucose Intake and Utilization in Pre-Diabetes and Diabetes

“…Recently, lycopene has been shown to yield improvement in HDL-C functionality, with increases in HDL-C subtypes 2 and 3 after a lycopenerich diet and supplements. The activity of CETP decreased and the activity of lecithin cholesterol acyltransferase increased in the serum of overweight, middleaged individuals [107].…”

“…In contrast, the consumption of tomato-based food sources along with fresh fruit, vegetables, and olive oil is common in the Mediterranean dietary pattern and provides a variety of nutrients with potential cardiovascular benefits [107].…”