Lycopene is a pigment and phytochemical present in the skin of a tomato and red fruits and vegetables. It has antioxidant properties that can break down the fat deposited in the arteries hence reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.

Research team from Cambridge University has developed a pill that provides the equivalent of eating three kilos of ripe tomatoes. Hence, Ateronon, a single pill a day can protect you against heart problems. The research team was employed by Cambridge Theranostics, a biotechnology company.

Initially studies focusing on lycopene faced the difficulty of reducing the size of molecule to suit human consumption. In the recent study lycopene was combined with a lactose-based milk protein, which resulted in reducing the size of the former's molecules so that it can be easily absorbed by humans.

The results of the trails conducted to test efficacy of Ateronon proved its ability in not only reducing but also reversing the buildup of fatty deposits on artery walls in just two months. 150 heart disease patients involved in the study were asked to take the pill once a day. There were no side effects of the pill also.