Prevent Stroke with Diligent Eat Tomatoes

Blessed are those who like to eat tomatoes. Research experts from Filandia shows, people who love to eat tomatoes may have a lower risk for stroke.
   
As published in the journal Neurology, experts from the University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio investigated approximately 1,000 parents. Research found that those who had higher levels of the antioxidant lycopene, which is relatively high in the blood, are less likely to have a stroke over the next twelve years.

Lycopene is a chemical substance that gives the red color to foods such as tomatoes, red peppers, watermelon and papaya. For most people, the tomato is the best source of lycopene.

Lead researcher Jouni Karppi, stating lycopene is "a powerful antioxidant". That is, these substances can help protect body cells from damage that can eventually lead to disease. Laboratory studies also showed that lycopene helps fight inflammation and blood clotting, and probably better in the process than other antioxidants.

In the study, Karppi and his team involving 1,031 people aged 46 to 55 years. Tingkatlycopene, alpha- and beta-carotene, and vitamins E and A each volunteer was measured. In a period of 12 years, there were 11 cases of stroke among 25 percent of the volunteers with the highest lycopene levels, compared with 25 cases among 25 percent of the volunteers with the lowest levels.

However, other researchers found a lower risk of stroke was not solely because of the lycopene. There might be other things in volunteers with high lycopene levels that could explain why the risk of them becoming lower.

"Studies like these attractive, but have significant limitations," said Larry Goldstein, director of the Duke Stroke Center and a professor at Duke University Medical Center in Durham, North Carolina.
   
There is another drawback of the study, such as the lack of information on respondents overall diet. Though it may explain why lycopene associated with a lower risk of stroke.

However, Karppi said the findings support the suggestion importance of eating more fruits and vegetables. And it was agreed by Goldstein.

"These findings reinforce the current advice is that people consume a well balanced diet, with fruits and vegetables," said Goldstein.


"If you want to eat tomatoes as part of it, it's okay," said Goldstein.