Scientists have known about lycopene for quite some time, with the pigment first isolated from tomatoes in 1876. However, its benefits are only now coming into focus.

Researchers have examined whether lycopene, a natural antioxidant from the carotenoid family found in red and pink fruits like tomatoes and guava, could help treat depression. More generally, whether plant-based foods rich in antioxidants may help battle depression.

The Link Between Lycopene and Mental Health

Mental health issues like anxiety and depression are often linked to lower antioxidant levels. Chronic stress can over-activate the HPA axis, the brain system that manages the body’s stress response, leading to increased stress hormones.

Increased stress hormones can cause oxidative stress and harm brain cells, especially in the hippocampus, a key area for mood control.

A 2024 cross-sectional study published in the Journal of Affective Disorders found that higher levels of certain carotenoids in the blood, including lycopene, were linked to a lower risk of depression. Researchers analyzed data from more than 7,000 adults and discovered that people with more carotenoids in their blood were less likely to have depressive symptoms.

Moreover, among the carotenoids studied, lycopene showed a steady link to a lower risk of depression. As lycopene levels in the bloodstream increased, the risk of depressive symptoms continued to decline without a threshold or limit, unlike other carotenoids. In other words, higher lycopene intake was consistently associated with better mental health.

Results from another systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 studies involving more than 33,000 participants suggest that dietary antioxidants, like lycopene, can help reduce the risk of depression by reducing oxidative stress and preventing brain damage.

“To the extent that oxidative stress contributes to someone’s symptoms, antioxidants like lycopene—along with other antioxidants—can be helpful. However, it’s just as important, if not more so, to reduce exposure to the stressors that cause oxidative damage,” Dr. Josef Witt-Doerring, founder and CEO of TaperClinic, former FDA medical officer, and psychiatrist, told The Epoch Times in an email.

The food we eat greatly impacts our mental health. Diets high in unhealthy fats and processed foods can raise the risk of depression by causing inflammation and oxidative stress. On the other hand, plant-based diets rich in fruits, vegetables, and antioxidants like lycopene can help reduce depression symptoms by lowering inflammation and supporting brain health.

Depression is linked to a constant state of inflammation, according to the results of a meta-analysis involving data from more than 10,000 people. The study found that individuals with depression had consistently higher levels of inflammatory markers like CRP and IL-6, suggesting that inflammation plays a significant role in depression.

Research also indicates that improving diet quality, especially by including more plant-based options, can lower the risk of depression.

“For people who feel like their symptoms come out of nowhere, dietary changes can have a huge impact,” says Witt-Doerring, who has observed notable improvements in patients adopting a paleo-style diet.

“This is likely due to the removal of common inflammatory foods like gluten, soy, and dairy, as well as the reduction of blood sugar spikes from processed grains,” he said.

Mechanisms of Action and Recent Findings

Lycopene is a fat-soluble antioxidant that easily crosses the blood-brain barrier, helping to protect and support brain health. Research suggests it may also counteract the harmful effects of environmental toxins and high-fat diets on the brain.

“Lycopene scavenges free radicals and reduces inflammation, potentially protecting neurons and helping stabilize brain chemistry,” Timothy Frie, a nutritional neuroscientist, founder of Neuronutrition Centers of America, and president of the National Academy of Neuronutrition, told The Epoch Times.

“Emerging data suggest this oxidative buffering may alleviate depressive symptoms, but it’s part of a broader biochemical puzzle, not a silver bullet,” said Frie.

Oxidative buffering is the body’s way of balancing harmful molecules called reactive oxygen species to prevent damage. It involves antioxidants and enzymes that neutralize these molecules, keeping cells healthy and reducing stress on the body.

Animal studies suggest that lycopene may be able to strengthen the junctions between neurons or brain cells, thus reducing depressive symptoms. A 2025 study found that lycopene protected brain connections and helped reverse stress-related brain damage in mice.

Another animal study suggests that lycopene supports gut and brain health by maintaining balance. Mice given lycopene for 40 days had less gut damage, inflammation, and stress-related behaviors like anxiety and depression.

The gut and brain are closely connected through the gut-brain axis. Research shows that people with depression often have different gut bacteria compared to healthy individuals. An unhealthy gut can cause inflammation, which may affect brain function and lead to mood changes and depression.

“Patients with high inflammation, metabolic dysfunction (such as obesity or diabetes), or those experiencing early-stage depression are the most likely to benefit from nutritional interventions,” said Witt-Doerring.

“Since inflammation and metabolic issues are closely linked to mental health, improving diet and increasing antioxidants can be a helpful first step for these individuals.”

Top Food Sources of Lycopene

Tomatoes are one of the richest sources of lycopene. It is also present in processed tomato products like tomato paste, ketchup, sauces, juices, and soups. Moreover, research shows that cooked tomatoes provide more absorbable lycopene than raw tomatoes, and field-grown tomatoes have higher lycopene levels than greenhouse-grown ones.

Some other sources of lycopene per 100-gram serving include:

• Pumpkin (0.38–0.46 mg)


• Sweet potato (0.02–0.11 mg)


• Pink grapefruit (0.35–3.36 mg)


• Carrot (0.65–0.78 mg)


• Pink guava (5.23–5.5 mg)


• Watermelon (2.30–7.20 mg)


• Apricot (0.01–0.05 mg)


• Papaya (0.11–5.3 mg)


• Rosehip (0.68–0.71 mg)

Lycopene is also available in the form of supplements, but it’s best to get it from food because it also contains polyphenols and other nutrients that support brain health, said Frie. Additionally, since lycopene is fat-soluble, the body absorbs it better when consumed with healthy fats.

In addition to diet, other lifestyle changes are always encouraged to manage depression. If you’re looking to improve mental health through nutrition, here are some key strategies to try:

• Focus on stabilizing blood sugar


• Reduce inflammatory foods


• Optimize sleep quality


• Engage in frequent physical activity


• Address underlying medical conditions and ongoing life stressors

“More importantly, we need to focus on root causes. If someone’s depression stems from chronic loneliness, work stress, or drug use, lycopene alone isn’t going to do much,” said Witt-Doerring.

“There’s no harm in increasing lycopene intake through diet—it’s a safe and potentially beneficial change. However, it’s important to manage expectations. No single nutrient can ‘cure’ depression. That said, when combined with other lifestyle changes, these adjustments can have a profound impact on mental health.”