Choose Lycopene-Rich Tomato Foods: Lycopene is found in high concentrations in tomato products such as tomato paste, sauces, and soups.
Eat the Whole Fruit When Possible: Keeping the peel and seeds helps preserve more of the tomato’s natural nutrients. Lycopene content can vary depending on variety, temperature, processing time, and harvest time.
Pair Tomatoes With Olive Oil: Lycopene is fat-soluble, meaning the body absorbs it better with fat. Olive oil can enhance lycopene absorption by 82 percent.
Enjoy Both Raw and Cooked Tomatoes: Raw tomatoes contain lycopene and are refreshing during summer, while cooked tomato products may offer more concentrated lycopene and make it easier for the body to absorb.
Be Mindful of Calcium Supplements: High dietary calcium supplements can inhibit lycopene absorption.
Choose Untreated Tomatoes When Possible: Pesticide treatment can reduce tomatoes’ lycopene content.
Check Supplement Quality: Lycopene nutritional supplements as commercially grown tomatoes can contain high levels of pesticides, depending on the source.
Consider Tomato Variety: Red Roma tomatoes are great for sauces, while cherry tomatoes are perfect for snacking, and both are high in lycopene. Tangerine tomatoes, a small yellow variety, contain tetra-cis-lycopene, a form the body can absorb more efficiently than the trans-lycopene found in many common red tomatoes.

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