Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) - Tomato/Tomato-based foods and Disease Risk

Main findings

The data suggest a protective relationship between the intake of tomato/tomatobased foods and CVD through its effects on oxidative stress endpoints (e.g. LDL
oxidation susceptibility).
Recent updates include information on the relationship between tomatoes/tomatobased foods and inflammation endpoints. However, data are inconclusive.
One PC study suggests increased vascular risk with tomatoes/tomato-based foods measured by pro-thrombotic factors in the blood. These data require follow up.

Summary of studies and outcomes

Number of studies = 32
Risk estimates (RE) = 43

(-) = 28
N = 14
(+) = 1

Risk estimates by Tomato or Lycopene category

√GT G. Tom = 11 (-), 6 (N), 1 (+)
√PT P. Tom = 15 (-), 7 (N)
√FT F. Tom = 1 (-)
√Lyco Lyco = 1 (-), 1 (N)

Summary Considerations/Notes:

Studies varied in type with the greatest representation by intervention (baseline control/ no placebo) studies.
Five (6) of 32 studies utilized subjects with existing disease.
DM subjects (3 studies): n=57, n=40, and 144 cases in cohort of 880, respectively.
1 RCT, P.Tom, ~14/txt group
- RE = (-)/N
1 Interv, G.Tom
- RE = (-)
1 PC, G. Tom intake as part of food intake pattern (5 y follow up)
- RE = (+) on PAI-1 and fibrinogen
CHD subjects: n=30
- 1 Interv, P.Tom
- RE = (-)
  38
Periodontal Disease subjects: n=? cases
- 1 PC, G. Tom and Lyco
- RE = (-)
Renal Transplant subjects: n=15
- 1 Interv, P.Tom
- RE = N
Sample size considerations:
Of the 15 intervention studies investigating effects of tomato/tomato-based foods on oxidative stress endpoints;
- 9 studies n= ≤ 17 subjects,
- 2 studies n= 20-23 subjects,
- 3 studies n= 30-40 subjects and,
- 1 study, n= 60 subjects.
Of the 10 RCTs investigating effects of tomato/tomato-based foods on oxidative stress, inflammation and or endothelial function endpoints;
- 3 studies n= 10, n=10 and n=64 subjects (non-disease) - Ox
- 4 studies n=103, n= 22, n=22 and n=22 subjects (non-disease) – Ox, inflammation, endothelial function (n=22 may be the same subj pop)
- 1 study n= 39 subjects (smokers) - Ox
- 1 study n= 57, ~14/treatment group (DM subjects) – Ox
- 1 study n= 24 subjects – TC and CRP
Study duration:
- Varied between single dose/1 day (1 study) to 2 months (1 study).
- Typical study duration for intervention and RCT studies was 2-3 weeks with a 1-2 week run-in preceding intervention.


Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) - Tomato/Tomato-based foods and Disease Risk Main findings The data suggest a protective relationship between the intake of tomato/tomatobased foods and CVD through its effects on oxidative stress endpoints (e.g. LDL oxidation susceptibility). Recent updates include information on the relationship between tomatoes/tomatobased foods and inflammation endpoints. However, data are inconclusive. One PC study suggests increased vascular risk with tomatoes/tomato-based foods measured by pro-thrombotic factors in the blood. These data require follow up. Summary of studies and outcomes Number of studies = 32 Risk estimates (RE) = 43 (-) = 28 N = 14 (+) = 1 Risk estimates by Tomato or Lycopene category √GT G. Tom = 11 (-), 6 (N), 1 (+) √PT P. Tom = 15 (-), 7 (N) √FT F. Tom = 1 (-) √Lyco Lyco = 1 (-), 1 (N) Summary Considerations/Notes: Studies varied in type with the greatest representation by intervention (baseline control/ no placebo) studies. Five (6) of 32 studies utilized subjects with existing disease. DM subjects (3 studies): n=57, n=40, and 144 cases in cohort of 880, respectively. 1 RCT, P.Tom, ~14/txt group RE = (-)/N 1 Interv, G.Tom RE = (-) 1 PC, G. Tom intake as part of food intake pattern (5 y follow up) RE = (+) on PAI-1 and fibrinogen CHD subjects: n=30 1 Interv, P.Tom RE = (-) 38 Periodontal Disease subjects: n=? cases 1 PC, G. Tom and Lyco RE = (-) Renal Transplant subjects: n=15 1 Interv, P.Tom RE = N Sample size considerations: Of the 15 intervention studies investigating effects of tomato/tomato-based foods on oxidative stress endpoints; 9 studies n= ≤ 17 subjects, 2 studies n= 20-23 subjects, 3 studies n= 30-40 subjects and, 1 study, n= 60 subjects. Of the 10 RCTs investigating effects of tomato/tomato-based foods on oxidative stress, inflammation and or endothelial function endpoints; 3 studies n= 10, n=10 and n=64 subjects (non-disease) - Ox 4 studies n=103, n= 22, n=22 and n=22 subjects (non-disease) – Ox, inflammation, endothelial function (n=22 may be the same subj pop) 1 study n= 39 subjects (smokers) - Ox 1 study n= 57, ~14/treatment group (DM subjects) – Ox 1 study n= 24 subjects – TC and CRP Study duration: Varied between single dose/1 day (1 study) to 2 months (1 study). Typical study duration for intervention and RCT studies was 2-3 weeks with a 1-2 week run-in preceding intervention.