Lycopene as a Dietary Compliance Biomarker

Launched by ERASMUS MEDICAL CENTER · Aug 4, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying whether a blood test measuring lycopene—a natural substance found in tomatoes and some other foods—can show if a person has recently eaten lycopene-rich foods or supplements. Researchers want to see how the level of lycopene in the blood changes after taking a single dose of lycopene, either as a supplement tablet or from tomato soup. This could help doctors and nutritionists check if someone is following a healthy diet that includes these foods.

The study is looking for healthy men between 18 and 75 years old who don’t have allergies to tomatoes or recent digestive problems, and who don’t use certain medications, supplements, or have major lifestyle factors like smoking or heavy drinking. Participants will take part in two sessions, about three weeks apart, where they will consume either the lycopene tablet or tomato soup. Blood samples will be taken before and several times after eating to measure lycopene levels. The blood draws are done through a simple needle in the vein and are considered very safe. Participants will also keep track of their usual diet and what they eat during the study. This research may help develop easy ways to check how well people stick to healthy eating plans.

Gender

MALE

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Male;
• • Healthy;
• • 18-75 yrs old.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Allergic for tomatoes;
• • Any gastrointestinal disorder within 3 months prior to the intervention;
• • Recent medication or supplement use;
• • Recent substantial change in weight;
• • Adherence to a specific diet ( for example the Moorman-diet);
• • Using recreational drugs more than once a month;
• • Smoking and excessive alcohol consumption (\>10 standardized glasses a week).
• • Risk of a dependency situation with the researchers.