Tomato Puree Enrichment in a High‐Fat Meal Reduces Postprandial Plasma and Adipose Tissue Inflammation Biomarkers in Healthy Male Adults: A Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial

ABSTRACT The postprandial period is marked by increased plasma inflammatory biomarkers and heightened adipose tissue inflammation. Consumption of tomato‐based products has been linked to reduced inflammation, potentially lowering the risk of cardiometabolic diseases. This study investigated the addition of tomato puree to a high‐fat meal (HFM) on postprandial inflammation in healthy men. Thirty‐nine healthy men participated in a randomized crossover trial (NCT02100774). Two meals were given: a HFM and the same HFM with 100 g tomato puree (TPM). Blood samples and adipose tissue biopsies were taken at various timepoints to measure inflammatory markers. TPM reduced plasma tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF‐α), interleukin (IL)‐6, and C‐C motif chemokine ligand (CCL)‐2, and gene expression of TNFA , IL6 , IL1B , and CCL5 in adipose tissue. In contrast, HFM increased IL‐1β, CCL2, and adipose gene expressions of IL6 , IL1B , and CCL2 . Variations and net incremental area under the curve (iAUCs net ) between groups showed significantly lower inflammatory markers in TPM, except for plasma CCL2 and CCL5 expression. Incorporating tomato puree in HFM reduces both systemic and adipose tissue inflammation during the postprandial period. These findings suggest that tomato‐based products may contribute to the reduction of postprandial inflammation, potentially explaining their cardiometabolic benefits.