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Influence of Lycopene intake on mental health: A systematic review of Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)
Although some studies have suggested a potential connection between lycopene and mental health, no comprehensive systematic review has yet evaluated this relationship. This study by Głąbska et al. (2025) aimed to systematically assess the effects of lycopene on mental health by analyzing findings from Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs). The authors conducted a PRISMA-compliant systematic review utilizing databases such as Web of Science, PubMed, Cochrane, and Google Scholar. RCTs published up to February 2025 were eligible for inclusion. Studies were included if they involved adult participants, administered a specified oral dose of lycopene (as a supplement, in functional foods, or in natural food sources), and assessed mental health outcomes using validated psychological tools. After removing duplicates, 642 studies were screened, resulting in six eligible RCTs. A range of mental health metrics was used, including mood, stress, anxiety, depression, and quality of life. The selected RCTs examined lycopene’s effects in diverse populations, mostly individuals with conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia, burning mouth syndrome, xerostomia, and infertility. Lycopene doses ranged from 1.35 mg to 27.8 mg daily. Among the six studies, five assessed quality of life, two addressed depression and anxiety, two evaluated stress, and one measured mood. Only four studies included a placebo group comparison, and none reported statistically significant differences between intervention and control groups. Three studies were rated as having a low risk of bias (all showing no effect), while the remaining three had a high risk of bias (one showed no effect, and two were inconclusive). There is currently no proof from RCTs that lycopene has a major effect on mental health. Additional high-quality trials are needed to determine whether lycopene, whether consumed as a supplement, functional food, or natural dietary component, affects mental health outcomes in various populations. [NPID: Lycopene, randomized controlled trials, systematic review, psychological outcomes, dietary supplements, functional foods, quality of life, depression, stress]
Year: 2025
