The term “lycopene” probably isn’t one that most people are familiar with, unless you’re a big fan of ketchup. However, latest health studies have found that lycopene’s talents for being good for the body go far beyond its use in America’s favorite condiment. With its many health benefits, lycopene is being included in everything from diet to skin care and anti-aging products.

Lycopene is actually the compound responsible for the color of tomatoes and belongs to a group of compounds called carotenes. These plant pigments give your favorite fruits and vegetables their familiar orange, red, and brown color. Scientists classify lycopene as a phytonutrient. Phytonutrients are plant-borne compounds that enhance the overall health of an organism. Translation? The more lycopene the human body digests, the better it is for improving overall health. As an antioxidant, lycopene is extremely potent in fighting free radical damage and preserving healthy skin cells.

The major health benefits of lycopene include its ability to prevent heart and kidney disease, the decay of the brain and nervous system as a result of aging, fighting cancerous cells to prevent DNA damage and cellular damage from aging. It seems there isn’t anything lycopene can’t do!

The best way to add more lycopene to your life is by eating fruits and vegetables that are high in lycopene. You can find plenty of lycopene in any tomato product such as ketchup, tomato paste, tomato sauce and processed tomato juice. Tomatoes aren’t the only food that contains lycopene so if you’re not a fan of tomatoes, you can also load up on watermelon, grapefruit, and guava. Diets rich in lycopene have been medically shown to reduce the risk of various diseases and cancers.

The antioxidant properties of lycopene haven’t gone unnoticed by the skin care and anti-aging industry, either. Lycopene as an antioxidant not only prevents free radical damage but can also block UV light. Lycopene lotions and sunscreens are among the most sought-after products, but can be difficult to find. Because the discovery of lycopene’s various benefits in skin care are fairly recent, there aren’t too many skin care and anti-aging products that contain this ingredient. The ones that do, however, can be pretty expensive. Some skin care brands have always used lycopene in their anti-aging formulas so you may be using a product that contains lycopene and not even know it. Check the labels of your products to find out if they contain this multitasking compound.

Lycopene can also be found in natural skin care products. Rose Hip oil is one product that can be found in natural skin care that contains lycopene as a main ingredient. Rose hip oil is often used in facial creams, lotions, sun care products and even certain hair care products. More of a “do-it-yourself” type of person? Search online for homemade recipes that show you how to make your own lycopene skin care products using ingredients and items in your kitchen.

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