Topic: Health

Researchers found that a special tomato-soy juice reduced inflammation markers in adults with obesity after just four weeks. This could be a functional food to help control chronic inflammation, which contributes to many long-term health conditions.

This tomato-soy juice was developed by Ohio State researchers years ago. It contains high levels of lycopene and soy isoflavones, which are naturally occurring phytochemicals that play important roles in plant health.

The study involved 12 healthy adults with obesity. Participants drank two 6-ounce cans of the tomato-soy juice each day for four weeks. Following a washout period, they consumed a low-carotenoid tomato juice for another four weeks.

Researchers collected blood samples before and after each four-week period and measured cytokines, which are inflammatory proteins produced by the immune system. Only the tomato-soy juice produced significant reductions in three cytokines: Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-12p70 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).

The team also examined participants' urine samples before and after each phase of the study to look for shifts in metabolites. Some metabolite changes appeared after consumption of both the tomato-soy juice and the control tomato juice, indicating that tomatoes may produce biological effects even without high levels of lycopene.

Why It Matters

This research could lead to new ways to help people with chronic inflammation, which is linked to many long-term health conditions. As Indian students, you might be interested in how food can affect your health and well-being.

Key Facts

• The study involved 12 healthy adults with obesity who drank tomato-soy juice for four weeks.
• The tomato-soy juice reduced inflammation markers in the participants' blood after just four weeks.
• The juice contained high levels of lycopene and soy isoflavones, which are naturally occurring phytochemicals that play important roles in plant health.
• The study found significant reductions in three cytokines: Interleukin (IL)-5, IL-12p70 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF).
• Tomatoes may produce biological effects even without high levels of lycopene.

Key Terms

Cytokines

Proteins produced by the immune system that can cause inflammation

Implications

This research could lead to new ways to help people with chronic inflammation, which is linked to many long-term health conditions. As Indian students, you might be interested in how food can affect your health and well-being.