Lower Blood Pressure

A naturally occurring compound found in the seeds of ordinary tomatoes has been discovered to have a major beneficial effect on long term health and blood circulation.

The discovery was made by researchers from the University of Aberdeen in Scotland, whilst performing studies into the health giving properties of the mediterranean diet, of which tomatoes are a popular ingredient.

Improved circulation and anti-clotting properties

The lead scientist – Professor Asim Dutta-Roy, a food researcher based at the University, observed that the seeds of tomatoes are coated with a gel like substance that has been shown through clinical trials to have anti blood clotting capabilities. This results in improved blood flow and circulation, and prevents blood platelets from sticking together, with the potential to form a potentially serious blood clot.

The compound has been patented by the name of ‘Fruitflow’ and although it was discovered nearly a decade ago, it is now going to be manufactured on a commercial scale, to be added to existing food products such as milk and fruit juices,  and solid foods such as margarine substitutes. It has now been approved by the European Union food standards agencies, as it has been shown to meet it’s published health benefit properties. It may also become a natural alternative to taking low dose aspirin for people, especially older people with high risk factors for heart attack and stroke.

How does it work ?

Platelets are a type of small cell found within the component parts of the blood. Normally these cells have a smooth appearance when viewed under a microscope, but can become damaged by various unhealthy diet and lifestyle factors such as smoking tobacco, eating a diet high in fat, or suffering from excessive stress. This causes the surface of the platelets to become rougher and sharper, and enables them to start sticking together to form the basis of a blood clot.

Aspirin has a counter effect on the blood clotting tendency, but also has some potential unwanted side effects such as ulcers and stomach bleeding. The tomato seed compound does not appear to have any known side effects which may be a major advantage in helping people to improve the health of their blood stream and reduce the risk of heart attack, stroke and clotting related complications such as DVT and pulmonary embolism.

The positive effects of consuming tomatoes or products containing the tomato based gel (such as Sirco fruit juices) are fast acting, and are experienced within a few hours of eating them. They have been also been shown to be long lasting – maintaining their effectiveness for a whole waking day. This makes them suitable for inclusion as part of a daily health diet.