Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

You are using software which is blocking our advertisements (adblocker).

As we provide the news for free, we are relying on revenues from our banners. So please disable your adblocker and reload the page to continue using this site.
Thanks!

Click here for a guide on disabling your adblocker.

Sign up for our daily Newsletter and stay up to date with all the latest news!

Subscribe I am already a subscriber

Nutrient that turns tomatoes red may aid in fight against depression

A compound that gives tomatoes their vibrant red color may hold promise as a natural treatment for depression. Scientists at Chongqing Medical University in China have discovered that lycopene, a powerful antioxidant found abundantly in tomatoes, watermelons, and other red fruits, could potentially alleviate depression symptoms by promoting brain cell connectivity.

Depression poses a significant global health challenge, affecting millions worldwide. Current treatments, while helpful for many, can have drawbacks including side effects and varying effectiveness. This has led researchers (and consumers alike) to explore natural compounds as potential therapeutic options.

In this new study, published in Food Science & Nutrition, researchers examined how lycopene affects behaviors associated with depression in mice experiencing chronic social stress. They found that this naturally occurring compound could enhance brain cell communication through several biological pathways.

The research focused on how lycopene influences synaptic plasticity – the brain's ability to modify connections between neurons. Synaptic plasticity allows brain cells to form and adjust their connections, similar to how a path becomes more defined the more it's traveled. During depression, these neural pathways can become weakened, particularly in the hippocampus, a brain region important for processing emotions and memories.

Read more at Study Finds

Publication date: