I was recently at the grocery store with my fiance, doing a quick shopping run. As we traversed through the grocery section of our local Stop & Shop, I kept reminding her that we needed to buy more tomatoes. After about the fourth reminder, she finally turned to me and asked what the big deal was about tomatoes, and why it was so important that we buy them. I told her it was because of their known cancer-fighting properties, due in large part to their richness in lycopene. After offering the quip, "You're lyc-o-pain in the ass," she ultimately did acquiesce and we did end up purchasing this antioxidant rich vegetable. Or fruit. Whatever it is.

Anecdotes aside, I just yesterday came across research (from a 2007 Ohio State study) involving a certain variety of orange tomato called a Tangerine Tomato. Evidently, people are able to better absorb the antioxidant lycopene from this particular type of tomato than from the more typical red tomatoes.

If you have trouble finding Tangerine Tomatoes at your grocery store, try other kinds of orange tomatoes or gold heirloom varieties. But, whatever kind, color, brand, or type of tomato you choose, always be sure to cook your tomatoes in order to receive the greatest absorption of lycopene.

Lyc-o-pain in the ass...I'll admit it, that was a pretty good one.