Tomatoes and tomato products

Tomatoes and tomato products contain high levels of plant compounds that may be responsible for controlling the development of atherosclerosis. Tomatoes contain large amounts of a carotenoid pigment, lycopene, which may help improve heart function.
According to studies, lycopene-rich tomato products help reduce inflammation, elevate the level of HDL (good) cholesterol [2] in the blood, and reduce the risk of heart disease. Studies also show that mixing cooked tomato with olive oil may provide maximum protection against clogged arteries.
A study in 40 people showed that consuming tomato sauce with olive oil may be effective in reducing adhesion molecules and inflammatory proteins compared with raw tomatoes and plain tomato sauce. All the tomato preparations increase HDL (good) cholesterol and reduce total cholesterol.











