Tomato health volunteers sought

Tomatoes are a major feature of the Mediterranean diet

Researchers are seeking volunteers to verify how tomatoes can play a key role in preventing heart disease.

The team from the University of Aberdeen will use products such as soup, tomato sauce and bolognese.

The dietary trials are aimed at showing whether tomatoes or the natural red pigment lycopene offer the benefits.

Volunteers aged between 40 and 65 in good general health who could take part for 16 weeks can contact Amelia Rudd via [e-mail]

Studies have shown that there is a potential link to tomatoes, lycopene or both but a comprehensive dietary trial is needed to progress our understanding Dr Frank Thies Aberdeen research team

Countries in the Mediterranean, where tomatoes are a staple of the diet, are recognised as having significantly lower rates of heart disease than Western Europe.

The team from the University of Aberdeen's School of Medicine and the Rowett Institute of Nutrition and Health will look at the impact of three different diets providing varying portions of tomato-based products.

They will then study the effects on levels of cholesterol, sugar and other chemicals in the blood which are associated with an increased risk of heart disease.

'Key part'

Dr Frank Thies, who will lead the study, said: "Cardiovascular disease is one of the main causes of mortality in Scotland.

"There is plenty of evidence which suggests that in parts of the Mediterranean, where tomatoes form a key part of the diet, the incidence of heart disease is much lower.

"Studies have shown that there is a potential link to tomatoes, lycopene or both but a comprehensive dietary trial is needed to progress our understanding."

Dr Thies added: "If there is a positive beneficial effect, we also need to establish whether it is the tomato as a whole or just the lycopene which is responsible."

The study is being funded by the Food Standard Agency (FSA).