This delayed diagnosis of a cut or nicked bowel can be deadly. If left untreated, contents of the bowel leak out into the patientâs abdomen area, leading to sepsis. Sepsis, abdominal cavity infection, can cause damage to multiple organ systems. This can lead to organ failure and death.
Food Sources. The best sources of lycopene are tomatoes and tomato products, which is where about 80 percent of lycopene in the average American diet comes from. Small amounts can also be found in guava, watermelon, and pink grapefruit. Table 1 shows the estimated lycopene content of some foods.
Most often paired with images of plump, vine-ripened tomatoes, lycopene is a nutrient that holds promise as a wonderful antioxidant. Lycopene belongs to the carotenoid family, which includes beta-carotene, lutein and zeanthin. Like its kin, lycopene intake seems to greatly benefit the body. A red pigment, lycopene is commonly found in fruits and vegetables of that hue. It may be the most abundant nutrient of the carotenoid family related to prostate health [Source: Borek]. For prevention, a higher intake of lycopene shows greater benefit [Source: Giovannucci].