Inflammation blocked by tomato in the obese

Tomato products may protect against inflammation, according to data from a recent multicenter, randomized, controlled trial. The team of US  researchers who conducted the study also found that processed tomato  products had a beneficial effect on vasodilatation and inflammatory  mediator C-reactive protein in overweight and obese subjects.

Within the diets of 56 healthy volunteers who took part in the study,  processed tomato products or non-tomato products were matched in  calories, sodium and sugar content. All of the test subjects consumed a  low-tomato diet for three weeks followed by either a six-week  high-tomato diet or low-tomato diet. At six weeks, the subjects were  assessed as to the response of tomato after eating a high-fat meal.  Compared with the low-tomato group, the high-tomato arm experienced a  C-reactive protein level that was lower in response to the high-fat  meal. High-tomato intake was also associated with increased mean vessel  diameter, but flow mediated vasodilatation was not different, possibly  related to the Body Mass Index of subjects.