Definition

Noun: 1. A red carotenoid pigment: Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid hydrocarbon pigment found in plants, particularly in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables. It is a powerful antioxidant. 2. A dietary compound with potential health benefits: Lycopene is studied for its potential role in reducing the risk of certain diseases, such as prostate cancer, due to its antioxidant properties.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The red color of watermelon is due to its high lycopene content.
  • Cooking tomatoes increases the bioavailability of lycopene.
  • Some studies suggest a diet rich in lycopene may be beneficial for heart health.

Advanced Usage

• "Lycopene intake": Refers to the amount of lycopene consumed through diet or supplements.
  • Researchers are investigating the correlation between lycopene intake and cancer risk.
• "Lycopene levels": Refers to the concentration of lycopene in the blood or in a food item.
  • Blood tests can measure serum lycopene levels.

Variants and Related Words

• Carotenoid (n): A class of pigments to which lycopene belongs. Beta-carotene is another well-known carotenoid.
• Antioxidant (n): A substance that inhibits oxidation and can neutralize free radicals, a category that includes lycopene.

Synonyms

• Carotenoid pigment: A more general term for the class of compounds.
• Phytochemical: A plant-derived chemical compound with biological activity.

Related Phrases

• "A source of lycopene": Describes a food that contains this compound.
  • Tomato paste is a concentrated source of lycopene.
• "Lycopene-rich": An adjective describing something containing a high amount of lycopene.
  • A lycopene-rich diet includes tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and papaya.

Noun

1. carotenoid that makes tomatoes red; may lower the risk of prostate cancer