Tomato intake and Plasma/Serum Lycopene

Main findings

Consumption of tomatoes increases the level of serum lycopene
Shown to increase after single serving, 24 h (1 study)
Shown to increase after 1-week supplementation (diet or extract)
Consumption of tomatoes will also increase tissue levels of lycopene, including skin and adipose. Differential distribution has been reported among tissue sites.
Uptake from processed tomatoes greater than fresh tomatoes, in general and when delivered with dietary fat (i.e. dietary oils such as olive oil).
Disease (vs non-disease) state does not appear to alter uptake (as evidenced by subjects with prostate cancer, breast cancer and kidney disease.
This does not include malabsorption or GI dysfunction conditions, which may modify uptake.