Feeding tomatoes to hamsters reduces their plasma low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides

Hamsters were fed semipurified diets containing green or red freeze-dried tomato powders. Compared to the control diet devoid of tomatoes, a 59% and 44% reduction low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol was induced by both the green and red tomatoes, respectively. The corresponding reductions in very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) were 45% and 35% and in plasma triglyceride concentrations 47% and 31%, respectively. Plasma levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL) were unaffected. Fecal deoxycholic and lithocholic acid concentrations of hamsters on tomato diets were higher than those on control diets. Possible contributions of major components of green and red tomatoes to these beneficial effects are discussed.