A clinical review of the effectiveness of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) against cardiovascular dysfunction and related metabolic syndrome

Evidence suggests that obesity can contribute to the development of certain complications such as insulin resistance, dyslipidemia, accumulation of visceral fats and cardiovascular dysfunctions. Excess fat also blocks small blood vessels and arteries by accumulating plaque, which increases vascular inflammation, atherosclerosis and risk of stroke and other cardiovascular disease. In 2010, the World Health Organization established several recommendations regarding the benefits of plant and plant-derived phyto-nutrients against several chronic diseases along with the crude molecules. Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is protective against several chronic diseases. This review evaluates the roles of tomato-derived phyto-nutrients on cardiovascular diseases, obesity and diabetes management, and prevention of vascular inflammation in human subjects through reviewing human clinical studies. The findings of this review identify a clear connection between tomato supplementation and positive effects on biochemical parameters in humans, such as blood glucose, HbA1c, harmful lipid profile, inflammatory markers and free radicals which are likely to result in a decreased risk of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular events. However, most studies were in young healthy participants and rarely assessed the effects of tomato upon incidence of cardiovascular events such as myocardial infarction. In conclusion, consuming fresh tomato supplements may contribute to the prevention of obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular dysfunctions through positively affecting biochemical pathways associated with these conditions.