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Bayer, the world’s leading manufacturer of Aspirin, once lobbied to claim that Aspirin “can prevent heart attacks.” The FDA, however, decided to look at the evidence first. Their conclusion has since changed the conversation. The FDA now recommends that you do not take Aspirin if you have never had a heart attack or cardiovascular problems.
“The FDA has concluded that the data does not support the use of Aspirin as a preventive medication by people who have not had a heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular problems… In such people, the benefit has not been established but risks—such as dangerous bleeding into the brain or stomach—are still present.”
Other research agrees. A report published in the British Journal of Medicine concluded that Aspirin therapy was not saving lives, and while “the number of non-fatal events may be reduced, the number of sudden deaths is actually increased.” This is because Aspirin can mask the symptoms of an ongoing cardiac event, making it harder to get help in time.
The risks of long-term low-dose Aspirin use are well-documented. A report in the Drug and Therapeutics Bulletin states that it can almost double the likelihood of gastrointestinal hemorrhage. Studies have linked Aspirin and its possible side effects to 64 different diseases, including duodenal ulcers, kidney failure, and an increased risk of certain types of breast cancer.
Tomatoes to the Rescue
What most people don’t realize is that almost every drug started as a plant-based cure. Aspirin, for instance, was originally made from white willow bark. Modern medicine then tweaked these natural ingredients until they no longer resembled nature’s original remedy.
But one natural remedy for preventing heart attacks and stroke needs no manipulation or tweaking: tomatoes.
That’s right! Tomatoes are a heart-protective treasure, full of phytonutrients like lycopene and beta-carotene, as well as a host of minerals and vitamins.
Tomato Extract Research: A Better Blood Thinner
New research shows that tomato extract is actually more effective for thinning your blood than Aspirin, and without the worrisome side effects. A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition concluded that a lycopene extract “may be appropriate for use as a dietary antiplatelet,” a substance that prevents blood clots.
Researchers further contend that tomatoes can protect your heart because they contain several bioactive factors that are able to lower cardiovascular risk by reducing LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and blood pressure. They also agree with other studies that claim, “Aspirin therapy is also responsible for a number of serious side effects, rendering it unsuitable for use in primary prevention of CVD.”
For people who must take statins to control cholesterol levels and blood pressure, scientists now say tomato juice and even cooked tomatoes can have the same benefits as these drugs.
Experts in Australia, after analyzing 14 international studies, concluded that lycopene can provide a natural defense against high LDL cholesterol levels. Research is so strong that scientists from the Rowett Institute of Nutrition & Health at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland claim tomato extracts can be used as a safer alternative to drugs like Aspirin to thin the blood.
Kudos to Tomatoes
Dr. Brian O’Neil, a leading cardiologist, states that not only are alternatives like tomato extracts as effective as prescription Aspirin, but they have none of the side effects.
In 1999, European scientists developed a groundbreaking nutraceutical called Fruitflow, made from the gel surrounding tomato seeds. They patented it as a natural remedy to promote healthy blood flow by supporting healthy platelets. It is the only product of its kind to receive an authorized health benefit statement from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).
Research on the product shows that platelet plugs form within 100-150 seconds for people who use Fruitflow, compared to 300-600 seconds for Aspirin users. This is crucial since platelet plugs usually form within 50-100 seconds.
As you age, adding tomatoes to your diet is a great way to help protect you from a heart attack or stroke. And the research says that tomatoes in most forms—cooked, raw, or juiced—are all effective. Studies clearly show that eating this nutritious fruit can lower your risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease by as much as 30 percent.
So forget the Aspirin, reach for tomatoes!
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