A pill made from a compound found in tomato skin can help save lives of heart disease and stroke patients, say researchers.
Scientists from Biotech firm Cambridge Theranostics have found that lycopene, the antioxidant red compound in tomato skins, prevents cholesterol build-up.
During a study, the scientists mixed lycopene with milk and soya bean proteins to solve the riddle of how to create a concentrated form.
The resulting pill Ateronon was found to reduce the level of harmful fats in the blood.
Ateronon can reduce the damage to the arteries, which is the damage that ends up causing heart attacks and stroke," the Sun quoted TV doctor Rob Hicks as saying.
"It can potentially extend life and also possibly save lives on a global basis. The potential is enormous," Hicks added.
Cambridge-based neuroscientist Peter Kirkpatrick said that Ateronon promised to be "much more effective" than statins.
The tablet will be unveiled at a British Cardiovascular Society Conference in London
