A tomato-based pill developed in the UK could help promote heart health by reducing cholesterol levels.

Scientists at Cambridge Theranostics say they’ve developed a therapy based on lycopene that reduces the level of LDL cholesterol, one that their research points to as more effective than just eating tomatos.

"The research so far has produced extremely encouraging results, and we are confident there is much more to come," says Gunter Schmidt, cell biologist and CTL CEO.

But while the Heart UK Foundation promoted early development, and trials are now underway at Cambridge and Harvard, officials at the non-profit are saying that it may be too early to consider the supplement a sure thing.

"In the meantime, our advice to heart disease patients or those at high risk is to rely on proven medications prescribed by their doctor, and aim to get the benefits of a Mediterranean diet by eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables," Professor Peter Weissberg of the foundation told the BBC.

In addition to its benefits on cholesterol, those who increase their intake of lycopene through dietary choices or supplementation may also be improving their bone health, according to researchers at the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging.