Abstract

Non-transmissible diseases (NTDs), especially cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cancer, are a major public health problem. One strategy to reverse this situation is to increase consumption of fruits and vegetables. For these reasons, this review shows the epidemiological findings and mechanisms by which tomato intake may prevent the development of CVD and cancer. The tomato rich in lycopene is the most consumed vegetable in the world and the main crop in Chile. Since the nineties, several epidemiological studies have shown that tomato consumption may prevent the development of cardiovascular events (myocardial infarction and cerebrovascular disease) and certain types of cancers. Regarding the protective mechanisms of CVD, it has been observed that the tomato has antiplatelet activity, endothelial protective, antioxidant and antiatherogenic. Meanwhile, among the mechanisms by which it can prevent cancer has described the following activities: antioxidant, activation of apoptosis, decreased cell proliferation and angiogenesis and diminution of metastasis. In the future it is necessary to advance the knowledge of the molecular mechanisms involved (cells, receptors and signaling pathways). Also, taking into consideration the contribution of the tomato and its products in the prevention of NTD, along with the outstanding campaigns to increase domestic consumption and export, it will be essential to devise new functional and nutraceutical food.