{"id":35639,"date":"2022-06-20T06:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-20T06:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/?p=35639"},"modified":"2026-05-30T19:39:39","modified_gmt":"2026-05-30T19:39:39","slug":"lycopene-benefits-for-men","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.bensnaturalhealth.com\/blog\/prostate-health\/lycopene-benefits-for-men\/","title":{"rendered":"What Are The Benefits of Lycopene for Men?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Have you ever wondered what makes fruits and vegetables such as tomatoes, watermelons, papayas, red carrots, etc., colorful?\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon found in these fruits and vegetables.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lycopene is classified as a non-provitamin A carotenoid because it does not act like vitamin A in the body (instead of other carotenoids, like beta-carotene, converted to retinol).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, lycopene is a powerful antioxidant with many health benefits.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Antioxidants are molecules that fight free radicals in our bodies. Thus, lycopene protects against oxidative damage to lipids, proteins, and DNA.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It also enhances sun protection, improves heart health, and lowers the risk of certain types of cancer. [1<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aside from giving certain plants and vegetables their color, lycopene also protects cells in the body against damage by acting as an antioxidant.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is also believed that lycopene can help prevent cell mutation and influence the immune system positively.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

General health benefits of lycopene include protection from the sun, better heart health, and reduction of the risk of certain types of cancer. [2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, note that lycopene is “fat-soluble” and dissolves in fat. Therefore, consuming a moderate amount of fat (10 to 15 grams) with foods high in lycopene can increase the amount of lycopene absorbed into the body.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, you could add a tablespoon of olive oil dressing to your tomato salad or cooked sauces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is lycopene used for?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we stated earlier, lycopene has antioxidant activity in the body and is involved in several chemical reactions on a cellular level. Because of this, researchers suspect that lycopene may help treat and manage several health conditions as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Prevention and treatment of cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to epidemiologic studies, lycopene has antioxidant and anticancer properties, which suggests that a high intake of lycopene-rich foods can reduce the risk of developing cancer. [2]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Prevention of atherosclerosis<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Evidence suggests that lycopene may help protect against atherosclerosis<\/a>, though exactly how it works is unknown. [2,5]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3. Treatment of cardiovascular diseases<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

One review of studies found that higher lycopene consumption was associated with a decreased risk of coronary heart disease and stroke<\/a>. [5<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Improving vision<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Macular degeneration<\/a> is a central vision loss<\/a> as someone ages. In a limited population, levels of carotenoids in the body have been found to have an inverse relationship with the likelihood of developing age-related macular degeneration<\/a>. [4<\/a>,5<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

5. Treatment of Asthma<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Studies show that participants who had received 30 mg per day of lycopene for one week had improved exercise-induced asthma.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

6. Improving bone health<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

There is growing evidence that lycopene can help maintain bone strength. In a clinical study, lycopene affected bone metabolism. The authors found that lycopene changed the activity of multiple genes that support bone density, which provides strength to bones.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the authors carried out a pilot study with 68 women. The study supported that supplementation of tomato sauce, high in lycopene, can help retain bone strength<\/a>. This research is exciting, but more extensive studies are needed to confirm these results.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 benefits of lycopene for men<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A recent study found that consuming 14 milligrams a day of lycopene can improve fertility<\/a> in healthy young men by about 40 percent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Amazing right? Let’s look at more benefits of lycopene to men below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

1. Lycopene improves fertility in men<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the World Health Organization, infertility is defined as ‘the inability of a sexually active couple (at least three times per month), who do not use contraception, to achieve pregnancy within one year.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

About 10%\u201315% of couples worldwide are affected. Also, approximately half of the cases are because of the male factor. The most common cause of male factor infertility is varicocele (about 35%).\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, 25% of the patients are idiopathically infertile. Other causes include urogenital infections, congenital and genetic anomalies, immunologic factors, and endocrine disorders. Some lycopene supplementation research conducted on men has shown positive results in treating infertility in men.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. It helps the prostate<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prostate cancer is one of the top three cancers in men. A healthy intake of lycopene can prevent it.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Studies have looked into the effects of lycopene on urinary function. In one study, patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) were given 15 mg per day of lycopene for six months. The study found that urinary function improved more in the study group than in the control group.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research has shown that higher lycopene levels strongly correlate <\/em>with a reduced risk for prostate cancer. For example, a meta-analysis showed that participants who reported higher lycopene intake and had higher blood levels of lycopene were at a lower risk of prostate cancer.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also, as lycopene intake and blood level increased, cancer risk decreased further. However, there’s currently no evidence that the lycopene itself is directly causing this reduced risk.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For example, it’s known that eating more fruit and vegetables overall is associated with a reduced risk of cancer. Other behaviors that support health may also coincidentally occur in people who eat enough lycopene.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To illustrate, studies have shown that those who eat more fruits and vegetables are also less likely to drink alcohol. Drinking more alcohol than the recommended daily amounts has increased the risk of certain types of cancer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Cancer<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Various studies have found an association between lycopene consumption and a reduced risk of lung, gastric, and breast cancers<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lycopene is an antioxidant\u2014in theory, antioxidants could protect against cancer by preventing damage to DNA and cell structures.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Unfortunately, the current research on lycopene benefits is too limited in quality to say without a shred of doubt that lycopene decreases cancer risk in men. High-quality research is needed to show that lycopene and its antioxidant abilities can directly impact the development of prostate and other cancers. [2<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. It also increases testosterone levels<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Lycopene, according to research, is believed to increase testosterone levels in men<\/a> significantly. [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5. It improves sperm quality<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

According to the CNY fertility center in the USA, lycopene is said to enhance the quality of sperm. It can increase the sperm count (the number of sperm present in a semen sample), sperm motility (the ability of the sperm to move immediately), and sperm morphology (the size, shape & appearance of sperm. [3<\/a>]<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How to take lycopene\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Research shows that lycopene is better absorbed by our bodies when heated and combined with healthy fats, like olive or coconut oil. Some great ways to get the best absorption of these lycopene-rich foods are recipes like spaghetti sauces, chilis, and tomato soup.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, lycopene is also available in capsule and soft gel forms. Though it can be found as a supplement, it may be most effective when consumed from lycopene-rich foods like tomatoes and other red or pink fruits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Previous reports have shown that lycopene from processed and heated tomato products is better absorbed than lycopene from raw tomatoes.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Several factors contribute to this improved absorption, which are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n