Lycopene Lowers Blood Pressure

Lycopene Lowers Blood Pressure

SAN FRANCISCOLycopene lowersblood pressure in hypertensive patients, according to a new study presented atthe American Society of Hypertensions 20th Annual Scientific Meeting andExposition here. The lycopene in the study was supplied by LycoRed NaturalProducts Industries Ltd.

Researchers linked a significant reduction in systolic anddiastolic blood pressure as well as an increase in urinary nitrate excretionwith increased serum lycopene levels.

The results of this study are particularly significantbecause our subjects had previously been unsuccessful at lowering their bloodpressure using one or two drug methods, said Esther Paran, Ph.D., principalinvestigator in the study. We attribute the reduction in blood pressure tothe antioxidant activity of the tomato extract and the increase in nitric oxide.