Insufficient dietary lycopene intake is associated with a significantly higher risk of severe periodontitis among US adults ages 65 to 79, with differences in risk patterns observed across race and sex.

Researchers analyzed data from 1,227 participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2009–2014). Nearly half (48.7%) of older adults in the study had some level of periodontitis, and 77.9% consumed insufficient dietary lycopene — a carotenoid commonly found in tomatoes and other red fruits.

After adjusting for age, sex, race, smoking status and education, they found that older adults with sufficient lycopene intake had about one-third the odds of severe periodontitis compared with those with insufficient intake. Severe periodontitis was more common among men and non-Hispanic Black adults.

Other findings include:

• Women were less likely than men to experience severe periodontitis.
• Among non-Hispanic White adults, both female sex and sufficient lycopene intake were associated with lower risk.
• Among non-Hispanic Black adults, the same lycopene association was not observed, suggesting differences in risk patterns.

The authors conclude that dietary lycopene may be an important modifiable factor for preventing severe gum disease among older adults. Lycopene-rich foods are primarily red and pink fruits and vegetables, with tomatoes  being the top source, followed by watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava, and papaya

To read the full study, published in the Journal of nutrition, health and aging, click here