Private MD News

Nutrient in tomatoes may contribute to healthier cholesterol levels

Category: Heart Health and Cholesterol

Individuals who have received unhealthy cholesterol test results may benefit from including more tomatoes in their diet. A new study from Japanese researchers has shown that the fruit may help reduce the risk of a cholesterol-related condition that has been shown to increase the odds of developing vascular disease.

Dyslipidemia is a condition that is caused by abnormal cholesterol levels. It can be relatively harmless. However, if it is left untreated for too long, it can result in vascular disease, which may include a number of conditions affecting the circulatory system.

However, a team of researchers from Kyoto University in Japan have found that tomatoes contain high levels of a compound that fights the effects of dyslipidemia. The nutrient is called 9-oxo-octadecadienoic. The team showed that it increases the rate at which cholesterol is metabolized by the body, thereby reducing the risk of vascular disease.

"Finding a compound which helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in foodstuffs is a great advantage to tackling these diseases," concluded Teruo Kawada, who led the study. "It means that the tomato allows people to easily manage the onset of dyslipidemia through their daily diet."