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Ingredient guide

Lycopene

Lycopene supplements are often sold with simple milligram numbers, but source, food processing and lipid-based delivery all affect how useful that number is when comparing products.

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In this guideIngredient basics, choosing & product comparison

What is lycopene?

Lycopene is a naturally occurring red pigment in the carotenoid family. Carotenoids are pigments produced by plants and other organisms. Unlike beta-carotene, lycopene is not a provitamin A carotenoid and is not converted into vitamin A in the body. Tomatoes and tomato products are major dietary sources, while watermelon and pink grapefruit also contain lycopene. It is fat-soluble, meaning its absorption is linked to the food matrix and the presence of dietary lipids.

Why do people take lycopene supplements?

Lycopene is studied in relation to prostate health, cardiovascular outcomes and oxidative-stress markers, although findings from tomato-rich diets cannot automatically be attributed to isolated lycopene supplements.

What does the research actually tell us?

Research has examined lycopene and tomato foods in cardiovascular, prostate and oxidative-stress contexts. Reviews note potentially favourable associations and some clinical findings, but also substantial differences between study designs. Whole tomato products contain many compounds besides lycopene, so a tomato-food result should not be rewritten as proof that a lycopene supplement produces the same outcome.

Why can processed tomato provide more available lycopene?

In raw tomato, lycopene is held within the plant tissue matrix. Processing can disrupt cell structures and release it, and reviews consistently report greater bioavailability from products such as tomato paste, purée and sauce than from raw tomato under many conditions. This does not mean every processed tomato food is nutritionally “better”; it is specifically relevant to lycopene availability.

Why does fat matter?

Lycopene is lipophilic. Dietary lipids help form the intestinal structures needed to absorb carotenoids, and human studies show greater lycopene absorption when suitable fat is present. This is one reason many lycopene supplements are supplied in an oil-based softgel and why taking a non-oil formulation with a meal can be relevant.

Compare lycopene dose, source and formulation →

Tomato, tomato extract and lycopene are not the same label number

A tomato extract can contain lycopene alongside other tomato carotenoids and compounds. A product may instead list a defined amount of isolated or standardised lycopene. Compare the actual labelled lycopene in milligrams rather than the total tomato material when the purpose is to compare lycopene exposure.

Natural vs synthetic lycopene: is one automatically better?

Check the lycopene source on the label; “natural” does not by itself establish superior effects. Lycopene can occur in different isomeric forms, and absorption is affected by formulation and food matrix as well as origin. Consider source alongside the formulation and instructions for taking the product.

What should you compare?

Lycopene per day

Use the actual labelled lycopene amount rather than the total weight of tomato extract.

Source

For example tomato-derived lycopene, a tomato carotenoid complex or another permitted lycopene source.

Formulation

Oil-based softgel, capsule or tablet. For a fat-soluble carotenoid, the delivery matrix is useful information.

Other carotenoids and active ingredients

Some tomato extracts naturally provide phytoene, phytofluene or beta-carotene; combination products may add selenium, zinc or other ingredients.

Vegan suitability

The lycopene itself can be plant-derived while a softgel shell may contain bovine or fish gelatin, so check the whole product.

Health information: Lycopene supplements are not a substitute for a varied diet or medical treatment. Research findings about tomato-rich diets should not automatically be interpreted as supplement effects.

Product comparison

Compare lycopene supplements

Compare lycopene per day, lycopene per unit, source, delivery, other active ingredients, format and vegan suitability.

Compare lycopene mg, not tomato-extract mg. Lycopene is fat-soluble, so source and delivery matrix are useful secondary comparison fields after the actual daily lycopene amount.

Default order: labelled lycopene per day, lower to higher; equal amounts alphabetically. The order is not a ranking.

Product	Lycopene / day	Lycopene / unit	Source	Delivery	Other active ingredients	Format	Vegan
NOW Foods Lycopene 10 mgView product ↗	10–30 mg	10 mg	Lycomato6™ tomato extract	Organic extra virgin olive oil softgel	Full-spectrum tomato phytonutrients	Softgel	No / bovine gelatin
Healthy Origins Lyc-O-Mato LycopeneView product ↗	15 mg	15 mg	Lyc-O-Mato® tomato extract	Olive-oil softgel	Naturally occurring tomato carotenoids	Softgel	No / softgel
Life Extension Mega LycopeneView product ↗	15 mg	15 mg	Natural tomato extract	Rice bran oil softgel	—	Softgel	No / gelatin and beeswax
Sunday Natural Lycopene LycoBeads®View product ↗	15 mg	15 mg	LycoBeads® tomato extract	Microencapsulated lycopene	Açaí berry powder 100 mg	HPMC capsule	Yes
Swiss BioEnergetics Lycopene 15 mgView product ↗	15 mg	15 mg	Tomato-derived lycopene	Targeted-release HPMC capsule	—	HPMC capsule	Yes
NOW Foods Lycopene 20 mgView product ↗	20–40 mg	20 mg	Lycomato6™ tomato extract	Organic extra virgin olive oil softgel	Full-spectrum tomato phytonutrients	Softgel	No / bovine gelatin

EU health claim details

Authorised health claims

0 authorised

No EU-authorised health claim is listed for lycopene.

Other assessed health claims (19)

Not EU-authorised — assessment published

View claims ↓

● Antioxidant propertiesLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene

Claim ID
1608

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Prostate healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene

Claim ID
1609

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Antioxidant propertiesLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopenes from tomato juices

Claim ID
1611

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Maintains cardiovascular healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
1662

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Antioxidant properties/cell and DNA protectionLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
1663

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Maintains prostate healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
1664

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Antioxidant PropertiesLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopenes from tomato pulp and sauces

Claim ID
1899

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Oxidative stress controlLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopenes from tomato juice

Claim ID
1942

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Antioxidant propertiesLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene (fromTomato extract)

Claim ID
2081

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Antioxidant properties / protection of DNALycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene (from Tomato extract)

Claim ID
2082

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● For antioxidant protection system/protection of DNALycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Standardized tomato extract [Oleoresin extracted from ripe fruits of Licopersicum aesculentum, solvent of extraction Ethyl acetate, 5% lycopene

Claim ID
2142

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Prostate healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
2374

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Skin healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene

Claim ID
1607

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Maintains skin healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
1665

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● For skin healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Standardized tomato extract [Oleoresin extracted from ripe fruits of Licopersicum aesculentum, solvent of extraction Ethyl acetate, 5% lycopene

Claim ID
2143

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Skin healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
2373

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Heart healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene

Claim ID
1610

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● Cardio-vascular healthLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Tomato extract containing lycopene

Claim ID
2372

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

● EyesLycopene · Assessed claim theme

Claim status
Published EFSA assessment / not an authorised health claim

Ingredient in source record
Lycopene

Claim ID
1827

Assessment reference
EFSA Journal 2011;9(4):2031

Regulatory note
The heading summarises the submitted claim theme, not an established benefit.

EFSA assessment ↗

Lycopene

What is lycopene?

Why do people take lycopene supplements?

What does the research actually tell us?

Why can processed tomato provide more available lycopene?

Why does fat matter?

Tomato, tomato extract and lycopene are not the same label number

Natural vs synthetic lycopene: is one automatically better?

What should you compare?

Lycopene per day

Source

Formulation

Other carotenoids and active ingredients

Vegan suitability

Compare lycopene supplements

Authorised health claims

Other assessed health claims (19)

Sources & regulatory details

Sources & further reading