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Lycopene
The red carotenoid antioxidant in tomatoes. Observational/epidemiological data consistently link higher dietary and blood lycopene with modestly lower prostate cancer risk, but randomized trials are mostly null on hard endpoints (no PSA effect overall, no consistent cardiovascular benefit). A skin-photoprotection signal exists for tomato-carotenoid complexes. Promising as a dietary pattern, unproven as a stand-alone pill.
What the evidence says
Lycopene doesn't have enough studies with structured effect-size data yet to pool a verdict. Browse the studies below for individual findings.
Most evidence is from high-quality meta-analyses and randomised trials published 2015–2026 with a typical study size of 3,418 participants.
Based on 44 studies · 12 meta-analyses · 14 RCTs · 695,579 total participants
Confidence
High confidenceBy outcome
Sits at Emerging 4.5 because a large meta-analysis links higher lycopene to ~12% lower prostate cancer risk, but that signal is observational and RCTs show no overall PSA or cardiovascular benefit.
13 randomised trials
every one checked individually
Every randomised or controlled trial of Lycopene indexed in PubMed, not a hand-picked subset. Meta-analyses and systematic reviews are deliberately excluded from this count: most of them cover many compounds at once, so counting them would inflate it.
PubMed · as of Jul 2026
8 trials ongoing or recruiting · 70 completed on ClinicalTrials.gov
13 of the completed trials have posted results
Registered trials show research momentum for Lycopene, not proof of effect — a registration is a plan, and posted results are sponsor-reported, not peer-reviewed. They are never counted toward the evidence rating above.
Browse these trials on ClinicalTrials.govClinicalTrials.gov · as of Oct 2026
Under EU law (Reg. 1924/2006), EFSA reviews whether a specific health claim for Lycopene meets the evidence standard. These are independent regulatory decisions on claims — not studies, and never counted toward the evidence score above.
Not authorised by EFSA
“Lycopene Good for the eye health of older people”
“Tomato extract containing lycopene Helps to maintain intact cells”
“Tomato extract containing lycopene Helps to maintain normal prostate health. Helps to maintain a healthy prostate”
“Tomato extract containing lycopene Can help in the maintenance of the healthy function of the cardiovascular system”
“Tomato extract containing lycopene Contributes to the maintenance of a healthy cardiovascular system. Maintains cardiovascular health”
“Tomato extract containing lycopene Can contribute to the maintenance of prostate health; Can contribute to the maintenance of the healthy function of prostate”
“Not authorised” means the specific claim wording did not meet the EU’s evidence standard — often a matter of dossier or phrasing, not proof of no effect. EFSA judges marketing claims and is kept separate from our study-based evidence score.
Source: EU Register of nutrition and health claims (European Commission / EFSA) · register snapshot Feb 2013
Lycopene is the carotenoid pigment that makes tomatoes (and watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava) red. It is a potent lipophilic antioxidant and the most abundant carotenoid in many Western diets.
The strongest data are observational: a large dose-response meta-analysis (Rowles 2017, 42 studies, ~692,000 participants) found higher dietary and circulating lycopene each associated with ~12% lower prostate cancer risk, with a graded dose-response — but no association with advanced/aggressive disease, and observational designs cannot prove causation.
When tested in randomized trials, lycopene supplementation did NOT lower PSA overall in men with prostate cancer (Sadeghian 2021), though a subgroup with high baseline PSA saw a reduction.
For cardiovascular risk, a 34-RCT meta-analysis found lycopene/tomato improved an oxidative-stress marker (MDA) but did NOT significantly change cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose, or inflammatory markers.
The most reproducible interventional signal is dermatological: lycopene-rich tomato-carotenoid complexes reduced UVB-induced skin erythema and pro-inflammatory cytokines in placebo-controlled trials.
Bottom line: a healthy nutrient with a real epidemiological prostate signal but thin causal/RCT support as an isolated supplement.
One of the most efficient biological quenchers of singlet oxygen; reduces lipid peroxidation (lower MDA).
Accumulates in skin and dampens UV-induced oxidative stress and pro-inflammatory cytokine upregulation (IL-6, TNF-α).
Proposed modulation of IGF-1, NF-κB, and androgen signaling in prostate tissue — mostly preclinical.
How Lycopene works — from molecular targets to health outcomes. Click an edge to see supporting research.This visualization is in beta — pathways are being refined and expanded.
Not a treatment — RCTs show no overall PSA benefit; do not substitute for medical care.
Dietary tomato amounts are safe; high-dose supplements are not well studied — prefer food sources.
Theoretical, weak antiplatelet/antioxidant effect; clinical relevance low. Caution only at very high supplemental doses.
Tip: Take with food
Tip: Reversible; occurs only with very high chronic intake
Lycopene has an evidence score of 4.5/10 — emerging evidence based on 44 indexed studies, including 3 meta-analyses. The red carotenoid antioxidant in tomatoes. Observational/epidemiological data consistently link higher dietary and blood lycopene with modestly lower prostate cancer risk, but randomized trials are mostly null on hard endpoints (no PSA effect overall, no consistent cardiovascular benefit). A skin-photoprotection signal exists for tomato-carotenoid complexes. Promising as a dietary pattern, unproven as a stand-alone pill. Representative study: PMID 28440323.
The commonly studied dose of Lycopene is 10-15 mg daily, ideally from cooked or oil-containing tomato sources for absorption (the one dosed cited trial gave 15 mg a day in a tomato extract). Label products go up to 30 mg, above that dose. Individual needs vary — start at the lower end of the range and adjust based on how you respond.
The best time to take Lycopene is with meals. Take it with food. Lycopene is fat-soluble; absorption is markedly higher when taken with dietary fat and from cooked/processed tomato (heat and oil increase bioavailability).
Lycopene is generally well-tolerated and considered safe for most healthy adults at recommended doses. Reported side effects include mild GI upset, lycopenodermia (orange skin discoloration). How often they occur is not established for all of them. Use caution if any of these apply to you: Known tomato/carotenoid allergy.
Collagen
Likely helpsHydrolyzed peptides that rebuild skin elasticity, reduce joint pain, and strengthen bone density — results build over 8-12 weeks.
Pumpkin Seed Oil
Mostly mechanism / observationalA phytosterol-rich cold-pressed oil studied for prostate, hair, and cardiovascular support. The honest verdict: small RCTs show modest BPH, hair, and blood-pressure benefits — but the trials are few and tiny, and it underperforms standard drugs like tamsulosin for BPH.
CoQ10
Likely helpsA lipid-soluble antioxidant central to mitochondrial energy production, with the strongest trial support for fertility/IVF outcomes and heart failure.
Red Yeast Rice
Likely helpsFermented rice containing natural statins that effectively lower LDL cholesterol — the original statin.
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Reviewed by Dr. Baher Al Hakim · Last reviewed June 2026 · evidence from 44 studies · how we score · editorial policy
This information is for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
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