Tomato Paste May Enhance Cognitive Function, Spanish Study Indicates

A recent study conducted in Spain suggests that consuming a couple of tablespoons of tomato paste daily may lead to improved attention and processing speed. The study involved 42 healthy adults aged 40 to 55, who participated in a cross-over trial over several months.

Study Methodology

Participants alternated between two dietary phases. For three months, they consumed an average of 35 grams of tomato paste daily, equivalent to approximately 0.5 grams per kilogram of body weight. In the low-lycopene phase, participants reverted to their regular diet but avoided lycopene-rich foods such as tomatoes.

Key Findings

The results showed that participants scored higher on tests measuring concentration, processing speed, and associative memory during the tomato paste phase. Specifically, they achieved increases of 7.2 points in concentration and 8.3 points in processing speed, compared to the low-lycopene phase.

Lycopene is a naturally occurring red pigment with antioxidant properties found in tomatoes.

Brain Function Insights

Blood tests indicated a slight increase in the protein BDNF, which is important for brain-cell growth. Brain scans from a subset of participants showed changes in resting connectivity, potentially hinting at improved brain communication efficiency.

Research Implications

The study does not conclusively prove that tomato paste prevents cognitive decline or disease. Instead, it offers preliminary evidence that lycopene-rich foods might benefit brain function. Larger studies are necessary for clearer conclusions.

Dr. John Showalter, an internal medicine physician, noted that restricting lycopene was associated with reduced cognitive functioning. He emphasized the significance of consuming naturally red foods like tomatoes, watermelon, and red peppers for better health outcomes.

Researchers urged further investigation to confirm whether lycopene-rich foods support cognitive health.