A new study showed that tomato extract can reduce platelet activity and may be protective against cardiovascular disease.
In the study 90 healthy men and women were randomized to either a dietary supplement containing a tomato extract or a control supplement. Hemostatic function was assessed at baseline then three hours after consumption of the extract or control. Then participants switched treatment according to a cross-over study design.
The tomato extract caused significant changes in platelet function at both a six tomato and three tomato concentration compared to baseline. There were no changes observed in hemostatic function after ingestion of control supplement.
They concluded that tomato extract as a dietary food or supplement may help prevent cardiovascular disease by inhibiting the formation of blood clots via platelet activation. Blood clots are common complications of atherosclerosis and heart disease and can cause serious conditions such as pulmonary embolism, heart attack, and stroke.
The study did not assess the long term effects of tomato extract on platelet function, only the short term effects. More studies that examine the long term effects including determining if the effects are long lasting are needed. Epidemiological studies comparing tomato intake to cardiovascular disease incidence may also be helpful.
Tomatoes also contain an important antioxidant, lycopene, that has been proven to lower risk of some cancers and decrease the damage caused by sunlight on specialized cells in the eyes.
Posted by Dr. Christina Gutierrez on September 28, 2006 04:09 PM
