A doctor has named an important nutritional element that all exercisers need. And it’s not protein

Candidate of Medical Sciences, Associate Professor, Physiologist

According to the “Traffic Light” rule, a plate of food should contain red, yellow and green colors, which guarantees a variety of fruits and vegetables in a person’s daily diet. The brightest red color in this variety will be foods that contain lycopene.

Lycopene is a red-orange colored pigment, which by nature is a precursor to beta-carotene. It is from it that vitamin A is then synthesized.

The substance itself is not a vitamin and is not synthesized in the human body, it comes only with food. It is important that its absorption in the gastrointestinal tract improves after thermal processing and in the presence of fats.

Interestingly, ketchup is the main source of lycopene in our diet, although tomatoes, guava, red orange and grapefruit, and watermelon also contain this unique antioxidant.

What are the benefits of lycopene

It is a powerful antioxidant, its chemical formula provides:

• neutralization of free radicals;
• leads to the reduction of oxidative stress markers in humans;
• inhibits tissue proliferation (overgrowth);
• prevents premature aging of the body (after 45 years of age it becomes relevant for everyone);
• promotes faster recovery after intense physical exertion.

Lycopene has a positive effect on the cardiovascular system, kidneys, organs of vision. It is especially important to note that, unlike other carotenoids, it selectively affects only the lens, without causing side effects in the retina.

Clouding of the lens leads to the development of cataracts, and lycopene is one of the factors that prevents cataracts and decreased vision.

It is the red-orange pigment of plants that effectively protects the organs of vision and skin from aggressive UV radiation. It is especially important to consider this for fans of winter sports (skiing, snowboarding), as well as connoisseurs of tropical vacations and residents of the polar region.

But perhaps the most important is the effect of lycopene on the reproductive system in both men and women.

The role of lycopene for men’s health

First, lycopene protects the prostate gland from age-related and pathological changes, does not allow it to increase in size and inhibits tissue overgrowth.

Secondly, the substance neutralizes free radicals and does not allow them to destroy sperm, which is especially important in the treatment of infertility.

Therefore, men for prevention can simply add a couple of red tomatoes to the diet or choose a high-quality ketchup. And you can drink freshly squeezed juice from red oranges two or three times a week. These recommendations apply to girls of all ages.

The role of lycopene for women’s health

For pregnant women, lycopene as a powerful antioxidant reduces the risk of hypoxia in the fetus, reduces the likelihood of complications in the third trimester of pregnancy.

I can safely say that at the root of all modern diseases are the problems that lycopene fights. Breast and cervical cancer, mastopathy – these are diseases that need to put a stop to, reduce the risk of development and prevent the growth of mortality.

And already this is enough to sincerely love the red-orange color of this plant pigment, which was discovered almost 100 years ago, and introduce it into your diet.