More recently, serum levels have been shown to be inversely related to the risk of heart disease as well. Dietary sources of lycopene include tomatoes and tomato products, apricots, pink grapefruit, guava, skin of red grapes, papaya and watermelon. Serum levels correlate inversely with a variety of cancers and deficiency is associated with blindness particularly in third world countries. Dietary sources are much the same as for beta-Carotene. Cooking reduces the carotenoid content of food, but also disrupts cellular membranes and liberates nutrients.
Carotenoids are, therefore, absorbed more efficiently from cooked versus uncooked foods.
The lycopene content on a weight basis in tomato juice is over twice the content of raw tomatoes. Summary In summary, the two epidemics in America today, heart disease and cancer, are to a large degree nutritionally related. Americans today are consuming less fruits, vegetables and whole grains than at any other time in history. It is my sincere hope that an increase in public awareness of the importance of proper nutrition will lead to changes in dietary habits that will have a significant positive impact on the health of all Americans.