Cooked tomatoes 'as good as statins' for battling cholesterol
They are common ingredients found in millions of kitchen cupboards.
But pasta sauces and pizza toppings could add much more than a tasty tomato
flavour to a family’s favourite meals.
Scientists said that cooked tomatoes can have the same benefits as statins for
patients battling against high cholesterol levels or high blood pressure.
Healthy: Chemicals found in cooked tomatoes used in pizza toppings, or a pint
of tomato juice, could be effective as statins in fighting cholesterol
They could be an ‘effective alternative’ to statins, the class of drugs
commonly prescribed for these conditions which can lead to heart problems,
according to a study.
And just two ounces of tomato paste or a pint of juice a day could be enough to
help many patients.
The secret lies in high levels of the compound lycopene which gives ripe
tomatoes their bright red colour. This powerful anti-oxidant is essential for
good health as it helps lower the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
