Lycopene is a naturally occurring red carotenoid pigment found in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, watermelon, papaya, guava, and other fruits. Lycopene is one pigment in a large family of plant pigments known as carotenoids. Carotenoids produce colors ranging from the yellow color of squash, to the orange color of pumpkins, to the red color of tomatoes. Carotenoids also contribute to some plant food aromas. Some carotenoids also possess provitamin A activity and have shown potent antioxidant activity. Some of the popular benefits for which lycopene is known for are -

• Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
• May help prevent prostate cancer
• Supports heart and brain health - lycopene may protect the heart by preventing atherosclerosis and reducing LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
• May protect the skin and eyes as some studies have shown that people with an age-related vision disease called macular degeneration have low lycopene levels.