Tomato-Soy Juice Reduces Inflammation and Modulates Urinary Metabolome in Adults with Obesity

Scope Chronic, low-grade inflammation is a hallmark of many noncommunicable diseases, including obesity. Diets enriched with tomatoes and soy have been associated with better health outcomes in inflammation-related illnesses, with lycopene and isoflavones considered key bioactive components, respectively. On the basis that whole food combinations may exert greater effects than isolated phytochemicals, we examine the anti-inflammatory and metabolic effects of tomato-soy juice compared to a low carotenoid tomato juice control in obesity. Methods and results In a randomized, crossover trial, 12 healthy adults with obesity were provided either tomato-soy juice (54 mg lycopene/d, 189.9 mg isoflavones/d) or a low carotenoid tomato juice (no isoflavones) daily for 4 weeks, then crossed over to the other treatment following a washout period. Plasma carotenoids, cytokines, and the urine metabolome were measured pre- and post-interventions. Plasma lycopene significantly increased by 2.48-fold after tomato-soy intake. IL-5, IL-12p70, and GM-CSF significantly decreased ( P < 0.05), and TNF-α trended downward ( P = 0.052) following tomato-soy. Soy isoflavones and their metabolites primarily distinguished post-tomato-soy urine profiles. Both interventions induced some shared metabolomic changes in the urine, indicating tomato-driven effects independent of lycopene. Conclusion Tomato-soy intake reduced some pro-inflammatory cytokines and altered the urine metabolomic profile in adults with obesity, supporting future studies using this functional food product for other inflammation-related conditions.