29/12/2025
🍅 What if something as simple as tomatoes could help protect your gums?
A new 2025 study suggests that people who consume more lycopene — the powerful antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits — have a lower risk of severe gum disease, especially in older adults.
Researchers found that adults with higher lycopene intake were significantly less likely to develop advanced periodontitis, even after accounting for age, lifestyle, and demographic factors.
🦷 Why does this matter?
Severe gum disease is driven by chronic inflammation and oxidative stress. Lycopene helps neutralize these harmful processes, potentially reducing tissue breakdown around the teeth.
🔬 Previous clinical and meta-analytic studies also show that lycopene may improve gum health when used alongside professional periodontal treatment.
⚠️ Important reminder:
Eating tomatoes is not a substitute for dental care — but this research highlights how diet and antioxidants may support gum health from the inside out.
As always, more large clinical trials are needed to determine optimal intake and real-world impact.
📄 Source:
Kwong K, Lu Y, Li Z, et al. Lycopene, Race and Periodontitis: Disparities in Older Adults
The Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, Dec 2025.
