A small new study by researchers at Ohio State University suggests that a specially formulated beverage combining compounds from tomatoes and soy may help reduce inflammation in adults with obesity. Chronic low-grade inflammation is strongly linked to obesity and associated conditions such as heart disease and diabetes, so finding accessible dietary interventions to address it could have wider implications for public health.

Participants in the trial drank two 6-ounce servings of the tomato-soy beverage daily for four weeks, after which researchers observed significant reductions in inflammatory markers. Both tomatoes and soy have long been recognised individually for their health benefits, and the study builds on separate research indicating that many people in the US and UK fail to consume enough flavanol-rich fruit and vegetables linked to better cardiovascular outcomes. The findings are described as preliminary, based on a small sample size, and further research would be needed to confirm the effects.