Effect of Tomato Nutrient Complex on Blood Pressure: A Double Blind, Randomized Dose⁻Response Study

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Health
• Nutritional Science
• Oxidative Stress Research

Background:

• Essential hypertension is linked to oxidative stress, increasing cardiovascular risks.
• Tomato carotenoids, including lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene, activate antioxidant defenses.
• Identifying effective doses of tomato-derived nutrients for blood pressure management is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the effective dosage of Tomato Nutrient Complex (TNC) for maintaining normal blood pressure in untreated hypertensive individuals.
• To compare the efficacy of different TNC doses (5, 15, 30 mg lycopene) against synthetic lycopene and a placebo.
• To assess the dose-dependent bioavailability of carotenoids from TNC.

Main Methods:

• A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study over eight weeks.
• Participants received TNC (5, 15, 30 mg lycopene), synthetic lycopene (15 mg), or placebo.
• Carotenoid bioavailability was assessed in a separate four-week TNC treatment arm (2, 5, 15 mg lycopene).

Main Results:

• TNC standardized for 15 mg or 30 mg lycopene significantly reduced mean systolic blood pressure (SBP).
• A TNC dose standardized for 5 mg lycopene and 15 mg synthetic lycopene showed no significant effect on SBP.
• Blood levels of lycopene, phytoene, and phytofluene increased dose-dependently with TNC treatment.

Conclusions:

• TNC doses of 15 mg lycopene or higher are effective in reducing SBP in hypertensive subjects.
• The beneficial effect on SBP appears linked to specific carotenoid levels achieved with higher TNC doses.
• Isolated lycopene or lower TNC doses did not demonstrate significant blood pressure-lowering effects.