Tomato-Soy Juice Reduces Inflammation and Modulates the Urinary Metabolome in Adults With Obesity

Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of many noncommunicable diseases. Diets enriched with tomatoes and soy are associated with better health outcomes in inflammation-related illnesses, with lycopene and isoflavones considered key bioactive components, respectively. On the basis that whole food combinations may exert greater effects than isolated phytochemicals, we examine the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of tomato-soy juice compared to a low carotenoid tomato juice control in obesity. Twelve healthy adults with obesity were provided either tomato-soy juice (54 mg lycopene/d, 189.9 mg isoflavones/d) or a low carotenoid tomato juice (no isoflavones) daily for 4 weeks, then crossed over to the other treatment following a washout period. Plasma carotenoids, cytokines, and the urine metabolome were measured pre- and post-interventions. Plasma lycopene significantly increased by 2.48-fold after tomato-soy intake. IL-5, IL-12p70, and GM-CSF significantly decreased (p < 0.05), and TNF-α trended downward (p = 0.052) following tomato-soy. Soy isoflavone metabolites primarily distinguished post-tomato-soy urine profiles. Both interventions induced some shared metabolomic changes in the urine, indicating tomato-driven effects independent of lycopene. Overall, tomato-soy intake reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and altered urine metabolomic profiles in obesity, supporting future studies using this functional food product for other inflammation-related conditions.