Tomatoes Sharpen Attention and Memory

A cherry tomato tart

Daily tomato paste improved attention and memory in healthy adults, and changed their brain connectivity

STUDY: López-Solís R et al, Antioxidants 2026;

STUDY TYPE: Randomized crossover trial

FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III; Generalitat de Catalunya; European Union Horizon 2020

Background

Lycopene, the carotenoid that makes tomatoes red, crosses the blood-brain barrier and lowers oxidative stress and neuroinflammation. It may also support brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), a protein that promotes neuroplasticity. Observational studies link higher lycopene intake to better cognition, but no clinical trial had tested tomato as a single food intervention until now.

The Study

• 42 healthy adults aged 40–55, recruited in Barcelona
• Crossover design: 3 months of concentrated tomato paste (~35 g/day, ~38 mg lycopene) versus 3 months on a low-lycopene diet, with a 1-month washout between periods
• Cognitive testing with three validated instruments; brain imaging in 14 participants

Tomato intake improved selective attention on the attention and concentration scale (d2-R) with a moderate effect size (Cohen’s d = 0.53–0.57). Face-name associative memory (FNAME) improved by 0.8 points. Executive function didn’t change. Higher plasma lycopene correlated modestly with attention gains.

Brain imaging showed reduced connectivity in the frontoparietal and auditory networks with tomato and reduced dorsal attention network connectivity during the control period. BDNF rose by 15.2 ng/mL, though that finding was borderline for significance and showed a carry-over effect (a problem with cross-over trials).

Limitations

Unblinded design allows expectancy effects. The neuroimaging subsample was tiny (n=14). High-education sample limits generalizability. A true placebo wasn’t feasible, so the dietary restriction itself could partly explain differences.

Practice Implications

1. This builds on other studies connecting tomatoes to brain health, which is why they are emphasized in the diet for depression.
2. What’s your favorite way to weave them into your diet?