Leukoplakia is a condition characterised by white patches or plaques on the inside of the cheeks, the tongue or palate. While the condition is harmless in itself, it has some potential to turn cancerous.

Conventional treatment options are limited, but there is evidence that specific nutrients may help reverse the condition. In a recent study, the effects of supplementation with the plant chemical lycopene (found most plentifully in tomatoes) was assessed in a group of leukoplakia sufferers. Individuals took either 8mg or 4mg of lycopene, or a placebo, for three months.

Fifty-five per cent of individuals taking the higher dose of lycopene were found to have a complete response to treatment (defined as no evidence of leukoplakia for four continuous weeks). The lower dose was found to bring complete relief in 25 per cent of those who took it. No individuals taking the placebo were found to experience a complete response. This suggests that lycopene supplementation offers considerable potential in the treatment of leukoplakia.