Study: Lycopene Supplement Users Show 91% Lower Odds of Diabetes in Observational Analysis
An analysis of data from 2,381 U.S. adults found that people who reported taking lycopene supplements had roughly 91% lower odds of having diabetes compared with nonusers, according to a report published by mindbodygreen on September 4, 2026. The association remained statistically significant after researchers adjusted for other factors and applied a statistical correction intended to reduce the chance of false-positive findings.
The data was drawn from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), a continuous cross-sectional survey conducted by U.S. health agencies. The report stated that the study examined four supplements — calcium, iodine, molybdenum, and lycopene — but only lycopene maintained a significant link to lower diabetes prevalence after the additional correction. Officials said the findings are observational and do not establish that lycopene itself caused the lower odds of diabetes.
Study Design and Participant Data
Researchers analyzed health records from 2,381 adults who participated in NHANES, according to the mindbodygreen report. The analysis included self-reported supplement use during the previous 30 days, diabetes status, and several measures related to biological aging. Diabetes status was determined using medical history, glucose-lowering medication use, fasting blood sugar, and hemoglobin A1c, a measure of average blood sugar levels over the previous few months [1].
Biological aging was assessed through chemical changes to DNA that provide clues about how quickly the body is aging, the report stated. According to the article, these aging measures were examined to explore whether they helped explain any relationships between supplement use and diabetes. The report noted that because supplement use and diabetes status were measured at a single point in time, the data can reveal a connection but cannot establish cause and effect [2].
Association With Lycopene and Other Supplements
Initial unadjusted analyses suggested associations between diabetes prevalence and calcium, iodine, molybdenum, and lycopene supplement use, according to the report. However, after adjusting for covariates and applying a false discovery rate correction, only lycopene remained statistically significant, showing roughly 91% lower odds of diabetes among users.
The report quoted researchers as stating the findings do not mean lycopene lowers a person’s risk of developing diabetes by 91%. The analysis only examined whether supplement use and diabetes occurred together at a single point in time. Researchers also found indirect associations involving calcium, iodine, and molybdenum through biological aging measures, but the report said those findings were described as exploratory.
The report noted that lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family of compounds, which have been examined in relation to insulin resistance. Prior research has linked higher intake of carotenoid-containing foods to better glycemic control, according to the report [3].
Limitations and Researcher Interpretation
The report emphasized that the cross-sectional design cannot establish timing or causality. People who take lycopene supplements may differ from nonusers in diet, exercise habits, or overall health consciousness, which could influence the observed association.
The study did not measure lycopene blood levels or supplement dosage, relying instead on self-reported use over the previous 30 days. Researchers stated that longer-term prospective studies are needed before any dietary guidance can be made regarding lycopene supplementation for diabetes prevention, according to the mindbodygreen article.
Researchers described the indirect associations involving calcium, iodine, and molybdenum as exploratory and called for further investigation into whether biological aging mediates any relationships between these supplements and diabetes [4]. The report concluded that the current evidence is insufficient to recommend lycopene supplements for diabetes prevention.
Lycopene Sources and Practical Considerations
The report noted that food provides a common way to obtain lycopene, with tomatoes being the best-known source. Additional sources include watermelon, red bell peppers, and pink grapefruit, according to the article.
Heating tomatoes makes lycopene easier to absorb, so canned tomatoes and tomato paste count as effective sources, the report stated. The article suggested that food offers a more grounded starting point than supplements because produce also provides a mix of other nutrients that support overall health. No recommendation for lycopene supplements was issued based on this analysis.
Conclusion
The observational analysis found that lycopene supplement users had approximately 91% lower odds of diabetes prevalence compared with nonusers, according to the mindbodygreen report. The association withstood statistical adjustment and correction for false positives, while links for calcium, iodine, and molybdenum did not.
Health authorities and researchers caution that the findings do not prove lycopene prevents diabetes, and longer-term prospective studies are needed. The report suggested that obtaining lycopene through whole foods such as tomatoes and watermelon remains a reasonable approach while the scientific evidence continues to develop [5].
References
- Ronald Ross Watson. “Bioactive Food as Dietary Interventions for Diabetes”.
- NaturalNews.com. “Prevent Diseases and Skin Aging by Eating Foods Rich in Antioxidant Lycopene”. NaturalNews.com. April 23, 2020.
- Antonis Zampelas, Eirini Micha, Renata Micha. “Antioxidants in Health and Disease”.
- GPL Ghostscript 860. “Nutritional Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Dysmetabolic Syndrome”.
- NaturalNews.com. “Tomatoes Better Than a Pill for Heart Disease”. NaturalNews.com. January 14, 2026.
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