Bioactive Compounds in Tomato and Their Effect on Glycemic Response

A recently published review study in the journal Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, led by Marina Corrado, analyzes the interaction between polyphenols and carotenoids present in tomatoes and starch, as well as their impact on digestibility and glycemic response. This research is part of a new line of work by our group, focused on understanding how foods rich in bioactive compounds—such as tomatoes, a key component of the Mediterranean diet—influence glucose regulation when consumed alongside starchy foods.

The review concludes that these compounds can modulate starch digestion, depending on their structure and the type of bioactive compound. However, existing intervention studies show modest or non-significant glycemic effects. These findings highlight the need for further, more specific research on the role of tomato-based foods in glycemic regulation.

Marina Corrado, who leads this new line of research, has a strong academic and scientific background in the field, and in 2023 was awarded a Marie Skłodowska-Curie postdoctoral fellowship to deepen the study of the effects of bioactive compounds on glycemia.

Read the full article here: www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/10408398.2025.2474177