An antioxidant found in tomatoes can drastically reduce the risk of heart disease

The tomato pill contains an antioxidant called lycopene that blocks ‘bad’ cholesterol that clogs the arteries.  It is contained in the skin of the tomatoes and makes them red, but eaten in its natural form the chemical is poorly absorbed.  The pill, which will be sold on the high street as a diet supplement, will be called Ateronon.

Early trials indicate that the pill can reduce harmful fats in the blood to almost zero in eight weeks, and separate research has shown it may be even more effective than the statins drugs currently used to treat those with high cholesterol.

The British Heart Foundation supported many of the efforts to make the Ateronon but warned consumers not to act too fast.  “As always, we caution people to wait for any new drug or modified ‘natural’ product to be clinically proven to offer benefits before taking it.  It will take time, and several clinical trials, to provide such evidence for Ateronon.  In the meantime, our advice to heart disease patients or those at high risk is to rely on proven medications prescribed by their doctor, and aim to get the benefits of a Mediterranean diet by eating plenty of fresh fruit and veg.”

Dr. Peter Coleman of The Stroke Association said, “We know that diets rich in antioxidants are beneficial in reducing plaque build-up and welcome the findings of this research.”