A specially formulated beverage combining tomatoes and soy may help reduce systemic inflammation in adults with obesity, according to a study conducted by researchers at Ohio State University. The findings, published in the journal Molecular Nutrition & Food Research, indicate that daily consumption of the drink over four weeks led to significant reductions in several inflammatory markers.
The beverage at the center of the study was not typical tomato juice. It was engineered with tomatoes bred for higher lycopene content—an antioxidant responsible for the fruit's red hue—and fortified with soy isoflavones, plant compounds naturally found in soybeans. Researchers found that participants who drank two 6-ounce servings of this specialized drink daily for four weeks experienced a notable decrease in three proteins associated with chronic inflammation.
In contrast, a comparison beverage made with standard tomato juice did not yield the same significant anti-inflammatory effects. This suggests that the specific formulation and concentration of bioactive compounds in the special drink were key to the observed results.
While the study adds to a growing body of research on the potential of certain foods and plant compounds to combat inflammation, experts emphasize the need for perspective. Registered dietitian Jamie Lee McIntyre, who was not involved in the study, noted that the beverage is not readily available to consumers and that the study's small sample size of 12 adults with obesity limits the ability to draw broad conclusions.
"This study adds to a growing body of research suggesting that bioactive compounds in foods may help influence inflammation, but it's important to keep the findings in perspective," McIntyre told Fox News Digital. "Researchers tested a specially formulated tomato-soy juice that contained concentrated amounts of lycopene and soy isoflavones — not a beverage consumers can easily recreate at home. While the results are promising, larger studies are needed before we can make broad dietary recommendations."
McIntyre further explained that the study's duration and participant numbers are sufficient for generating hypotheses but not for concluding that this specific beverage will reduce inflammation or improve health outcomes for the general population. She advocates for an overall healthy eating pattern rather than focusing on a single food or drink for anti-inflammatory benefits.
"For most people, the biggest payoff still comes from consistently eating a colorful, varied diet rather than chasing the latest nutrition headline," she stated. The researchers expressed hope that their findings will pave the way for larger studies to explore how food-based interventions can aid in managing chronic inflammation.