Research has proven that in vegetarian diets, tomatoes are remarkably effective against depression.
There is growing evidence that highly unstable molecules, free radicals, are ubiquitous in the air and are a major factor causing various mental illnesses, including depression. Fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, which can eliminate free radicals, thereby effectively preventing depression.
Among carotenoids, lycopene has the strongest antioxidant activity. It is an oxygen-free carotenoid. The efficacy of lycopene in scavenging free radicals far surpasses that of other carotenoids and vitamin E. Its rate constant for quenching singlet oxygen is 100 times that of vitamin E, making it one of the strongest antioxidants found in nature to date.
Multiple early studies have suggested a close relationship between lycopene and mental and physical health, with the mechanism being that lycopene can reduce oxidative stress and prevent damage to healthy brain cells. A new study has found that eating tomatoes several times a week can cut the risk of depression in half. The various antioxidant components rich in tomatoes have the effect of fighting multiple diseases. Among them, lycopene not only helps fight depression but can also reduce the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease.
To further explore the relationship between lycopene and mental health, researchers conducted a systematic analysis of multiple early related studies. The study involved nearly 1,000 women over the age of 70. Researchers investigated the association between the participants' mental health medical records and their dietary habits.
The results showed that compared to people who ate tomatoes less than once a week, those who ate tomatoes 2-6 times a week had a 46% lower risk of depression. Eating tomatoes daily could reduce the risk of depression by 52%. The study also found that other healthy fruits and vegetables, such as cabbage, carrots, onions, and pumpkin, did not have this unique antidepressant effect.
The researchers stated that although it is not yet possible to confirm whether lycopene directly affects mental health, the new research findings do indicate that regular consumption of tomatoes has a significant preventive effect against depression.