Did you know? Tomatoes can increase your internal skin protection levels

Optimising the health benefits of common produce remains a focal point for nutrition researchers. During the Thursday episode of The Mel Robbins podcast, Dr Lucia Aronica, an epigenetics scientist from Stanford, shared a transformative method for consuming tomatoes.

Although raw consumption is a popular choice for many, it may not be the most efficient way to access the fruit's most potent nutrients.

Dr Aronica highlighted the importance of lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that offers substantial protection for the heart and skin.

She noted that clinical trials demonstrate how lycopene can "really reduce LDL (low-density lipoprotein) oxidation, which is the process that makes LDL cholesterol truly dangerous."

Beyond cardiovascular health, this compound acts as "an internal skin care" by boosting the body's internal SPF by 40 per cent. This process actively aids DNA repair and inhibits the breakdown of collagen.

How to unlock the benefits of lycopene in tomatoes?

Accessing a therapeutic dose of 10 mg of lycopene would normally require eating 20 pounds of raw fruit daily. However, Dr Aronica suggests a more practical approach:

• Apply heat: Cook the tomatoes to break down cell walls.
• Add healthy fats: Use olive oil or any oil to facilitate absorption.
• Opt for concentrate: Utilise tomato paste for higher density.

"If you cook those tomatoes in olive oil, or in any type of oil, like Italian grandmothers used to do, then you can boost the absorption of lycopene," Aronica stated.

Because lycopene is liposoluble, adding olive oil "boosts the availability (of lycopene) by an additional 70 percent."

Please Note: This information is for educational purposes only and does not count as professional advice.