A 2025 review explored the relationship between cancer and lycopene. Researchers also examined how tomato-rich diets and cancer outcomes may be connected. They analyzed data from 119 studies involving over 2.6 million participants, publishing their findings in Frontiers in Nutrition (2025;12:1516048).

Rather than drawing conclusions, the researchers observed patterns in dietary intake, lycopene blood levels, and reported cancer outcomes across populations.

What Is Lycopene?

Lycopene is a red plant pigment and antioxidant found in several fruits and vegetables. While watermelon, pink grapefruit, and apricots contain it, tomatoes remain the primary source in most diets. Cooked tomato products often deliver more absorbable forms of lycopene, which made them central to many of the studies reviewed.

Researchers used tomato consumption as an indirect measure of lycopene intake throughout the analysis.

A Closer Look

The review looked at how cancer and lycopene may be connected by examining tomato intake, dietary lycopene, and blood lycopene levels. Researchers found that people who ate the most tomatoes had an 11% lower rate of dying from cancer compared to those who ate the least.

When looking specifically at lycopene from food, the data showed a 5% lower chance of developing cancer and a 16% lower risk of cancer-related death among those with higher intake. Blood levels of lycopene showed even stronger associations—those with the highest levels had an 11% lower risk of developing cancer and a 24% lower risk of dying from it.

The review also explored certain cancer types. It found that higher lycopene intake was linked to lower rates of prostate cancer. Higher blood levels of lycopene were associated with reduced rates of both prostate and breast cancer.

Additionally, researchers observed a steady trend: as blood lycopene levels increased, overall cancer risk appeared to decrease. For example, every 10 μg/dL increase in blood lycopene was tied to a 5% lower reported risk of cancer.

These results came from population studies and show patterns—not proven effects. The study’s authors recommended more research to better understand these connections.

Conclusion

This review invites us to pay closer attention to how food choices may influence long-term wellness. While science continues to explore connections between diet and health, one thing remains clear: what we put into our bodies matters.

Being mindful of the foods we choose—especially those that are clean, organic, and nutrient-rich—can help us care for ourselves in simple but meaningful ways. Nourishing the body with whole, real food isn’t just a trend; it’s a daily act of self-respect. Each choice adds up. And with every fresh ingredient, we have another opportunity to support vitality from the inside out.