Lycopene
Carotenoid pigment giving tomatoes and watermelon their red colour. A powerful antioxidant linked to prostate health.
No established daily requirement for this nutrient.
Top Foods Highest in Lycopene
Amount per 100g serving. Values in µg per 100g.
Foods Highest in Lycopene (Table)
| # | Food | Per 100g | Group |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tomato powder | 46,260 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 2 | Tomatoes, sun-dried | 45,902 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 3 | Tomato products, canned, paste, without salt added (Includes | 28,764 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 4 | Tomato products, canned, puree, with salt added | 21,754 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 5 | Tomato products, canned, puree, without salt added | 21,754 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 6 | Tomato products, canned, sauce, with mushrooms | 18,942 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 7 | Tomato products, canned, sauce, with onions, green peppers, | 18,454 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 8 | Soup, tomato rice, canned, condensed | 17,183 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 9 | Tomato products, canned, sauce | 13,895 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 10 | Tomato sauce, canned, no salt added | 13,895 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 11 | Soup, vegetable, canned, low sodium, condensed | 13,848 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 12 | Sauce, tomato chili sauce, bottled, with salt | 12,819 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 13 | Sauce, pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve | 12,700 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 14 | Sauce, pasta, spaghetti/marinara, ready-to-serve, low sodium | 12,665 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 15 | Sauce, steak, tomato based | 12,564 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 16 | Catsup | 12,062 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 17 | Catsup, low sodium | 12,062 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
| 18 | Soup, tomato, canned, condensed | 10,920 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 19 | Soup, tomato, canned, condensed, reduced sodium | 10,920 µg | Soups, Sauces, and Gravies |
| 20 | Tomato and vegetable juice, low sodium | 9,660 µg | Vegetables and Vegetable Products |
Health Effects of Lycopene
Lycopene is a powerful non-provitamin A carotenoid and antioxidant. It is one of the most potent singlet oxygen quenchers among dietary carotenoids, found primarily in tomatoes.
No specific deficiency condition. Low lycopene intake is associated with reduced antioxidant capacity and may correlate with increased prostate cancer risk in epidemiological studies.
No adverse effects from high dietary lycopene intake. Very high consumption may cause harmless lycopenodermia (deep orange skin discoloration).
Absorption & Interactions
Fat-soluble; absorbed with dietary fat. Bioavailability is dramatically increased by cooking (2-3x) because heat breaks down tomato cell walls and converts trans-lycopene to more absorbable cis-forms.
Other Vitamins
Frequently Asked Questions
How much Lycopene do I need per day?
There is no established daily requirement for Lycopene.
Which food has the most Lycopene?
The food highest in Lycopene is Tomato powder with 46,260 µg per 100g.
What does Lycopene do in the body?
Carotenoid pigment giving tomatoes and watermelon their red colour. A powerful antioxidant linked to prostate health.