Positive Effects of Tomato Paste on Vascular Function After a Fat Meal in Male Healthy Subjects

Abstract

Tomato consumption has been recently associated with a reduced incidence of cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of this study was to test whether a seven-day period of tomato paste purèe (tomato paste, TP) supplementation could improve some haemodynamic parameters in healthy volunteers before and after a standardized fat meal (FM). Methods and results: Nineteen healthy male volunteers participated in a randomized, single-blind (operator) crossover study. Participants maintained low fiber diets (LFD) during the study periods. They were randomized either to a LFD and TP arm (80 g of TP/day) for seven-days, or to a control arm (LFD-only) with a two-week washout period. Flow Mediated Dilatation and other morpho-functional vascular indices were measured by ultrasound. Stiffness Index and Reflection Index were estimated by digital photo-plethysmography. All these parameters were measured one h before and two and 3.5 h after the FM. The difference in Stiffness Index was increased in the LFD and TP + FM-arm, as compared to the LFD-only + FM arm at both two and 3.5 h points. After the FM, in both arms, at two h, we observed a reduction in the Reflection Index and an increase in heart rate. Interestingly, only in the LFD and TP + FM-arm, some haemodynamic changes were detectable at two h; notably, there was an increase in brachial artery diameter and a reduction in diastolic blood pressure (BP). Conclusions: TP has no effect on Flow Mediated Dilatation but acutely modifies some haemodynamic parameters triggered by FM, suggesting possible haemodynamic beneficial effects in people consuming tomatoes.

Tomatoes: An Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes and Factors That Can Affect Their Cultivation

“…Although a significant increase in plasma lycopene was observed after 7 days, it did not affect endothelium-dependent or -independent dilation of the brachial artery. Similar findings were reported by another group, where 80 g of tomato paste puree per day for 7 days failed to affect the flow-mediated dilation of the brachial artery after a standardised fat meal, however, the incorporation of tomato paste produced a significant improvement in the haemodynamic changes, such as reduction in diastolic blood pressure, increase in brachial artery diameter, and decrease in stiffness index [ 244 ].…”

Effects of a High Fat Meal Associated with Water, Juice, or Champagne Consumption on Endothelial Function and Markers of Oxidative Stress and Inflammation in Young, Healthy Subjects

“…Liu et al observed similar LDL values after peanut consumption [27]. On the other hand, Dalbani et al reported that decreased LDL after a fat meal was not associated with a decrease in FMD in male healthy subjects eating tomato paste [36].…”

Risk reduction and prevention of cardiovascular diseases: biological mechanisms of lycopene

“…Similarly, a new meta-analysis that summarized all these results found a significant impact of lycopene on systolic blood pressure, but not on diastolic blood pressure [44]. effective against cardiovascular dysfunction and related metabolic syndrome [47].…”

“…However, following a fatty meal, it did cause a modest decrease in diastolic blood pressure, suggesting an acute effect when food causes deleterious vascular effects [44].…”