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20 Health Benefits of Tomatoes!

20 Health Benefits of Tomatoes

SUPERFOOD

20 Health Benefits of Tomatoes!

Tomato is the edible red fruit of Solanum Lycopersicum.  This species was originated in Central and South America.

There are numerous varieties of tomato widely grown in temperate climates across the world. Tomato is consumed in many ways, raw or as an ingredient in many dishes, salads, sauces, and drinks.

Tomatoes are considered both vegetables and fruits. They have soft, pinkish-red flesh, several seeds, and a slightly sweet taste. Tomatoes are stapled food for many nations because they are easy to cultivate and grow very quickly which makes them a quickly replaceable food source.

The deep red color of tomatoes is due to the presence of Lycopene which is a carotenoid pigment having anti-oxidant properties. Tomatoes have an impressive amount of vitamins A, C, and K, also contain folate and thiamin. They are also a good source of manganesepotassiummagnesium, phosphorous,

The health benefits of tomatoes include reduced blood pressure, urinary tract infections, improved eyesight, relief from diabetes, good stomach health, and skin problems. Furthermore, tomatoes also help to reduce cholesterol levels, increase digestion, detoxify the body, stimulate blood circulation, improve fluid balance, prevent premature aging, and reduce inflammation. They are a rich source of vitamins and minerals, also rich in antioxidants that help to fight against cancer.

Nutritional value Per 100 g

Energy 74KJ
Carbohydrates 3.9g
Sugars 2.6 g
Dietary fibers 12 g
Fats 0.2 g
Proteins 0.9 g
Vitamin A 42 μg
Beta carotene 449 μg
Niacin 0.594mg
Vitamin C 14mg
Vitamin K 7.9 μg
Magnesium 11mg
Manganese 0.114mg
Phosphorus 24mg
Potassium 237mg
Water 94.5g
Lycopene 2573 μg

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

  1. Tomato contains lycopene, an antioxidant that is highly effective in eradicating cancer-causing free radicals. The lycopene has been effective in fighting prostate, esophageal, cervical, rectum, stomach, cancers. It also protects against breast cancer and cancer of the mouth.
  2. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, vitamin A, potassium, as well as iron. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant that prevents cancer-causing free radicals. Potassium maintains nerve health and iron is essential for maintaining normal blood health.
  3. The lycopene in tomatoes also helps to prevent serum lipid oxidation. This exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. Consuming tomatoes regularly helps to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood.
  4. Tomatoes contain, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid that fight against nitrosamines which are produced in the body. These are the main carcinogens that are found in cigarettes. The presence of vitamin A has also been shown to reduce the effects of carcinogens and can protect you against lung cancer.
  5. Vitamin A in tomatoes, helps in improving vision, also preventing macular degeneration and night-blindness. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can be formed from an excess of beta-carotene in the body.
  6. Tomatoes help in preventing constipation, diarrhea, and jaundice by effectively removes toxins from the body, keeping the digestive system healthy. Moreover, tomatoes contain a large amount of fiber, which can bulk up stool and reduce symptoms of constipation. This also helps regulate your bowel movements, thereby improving your overall digestive health.
  7. Consuming a tomato regularly reduces the risk of hypertension. This might be due to the potassium found in tomatoes. Potassium acts as a vasodilator. It reduces the tension in blood vessels and arteries, increasing circulation and lowers the stress on the heart, thereby eliminating hypertension.
  8. Tomatoes promote the health of teeth, bones, hair, and skin. Tomato juice is effective in treating sunburns. Consuming tomatoes daily protects the skin against UV-induced
  9. Intake of tomatoes also reduces the conditions of urinary tract infections. Tomatoes are high in water content, which stimulates urination, so tomatoes acts as a diuretic in certain ways. This increases the elimination of excess water, salts, uric acid from the body, thus eliminate toxins.
  10. Intake of tomatoes regularly can provide relief from gallbladder disease such as gallstones.
  11. Tomatoes also have a fat burning capacity. They stimulate the production of the amino acid carnitine which speeds up the body’s fat-burning capacity by over 30 percent.
  12. Tomato juice is also effective in reducing the risk of blood clots. Vitamin K and numerous phytonutrients in tomatoes help prevent excessive clumping of our platelet cells.
  13. Consuming tomatoes daily, help to increase the proportion of vitamin C in the blood. This now inhibits the increase in levels of stress hormones and helps to strengthen the immune system. So drinking tomato juice regularly can help you to be stress-free.
  14. Intake of tomato juice regularly promotes healthy hair. It also improves the appearance and texture of hair. Since it is rich in vitamin k, it helps in strengthening the tufts of hair promoting hair growth.
  15. Tomatoes maintain the health of bones strengthened by enhancing the ratio of calcium in the body. Intake of tomatoes involves the rich supply of antioxidants in tomatoes which helps to maintain bone health.
  16. Tomatoes are a naturally rich source of protein, which is effective in cell repair and muscle building.
  17. Tomato seeds are an effective anti-inflammatory agent. Inflammatory compounds promote atherosclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Lycopene and beta-carotene in tomatoes eradicate free radicals. This, in turn, helps arrest inflammation.
  18. Tomatoes are effective in preventing the signs of aging. It enables the skin to absorb oxygen providing a natural skin treatment that can make the skin look younger and healthy.
  19. Swimming regularly often changes the color of the hair. This is due to the high amount of chlorine present in the pool water. Tomato can be a great help to remove the stains from the hair.
  20. Tomato juice also acts as a soaking agent to remove odors. Apply in your hairs for 30 min and then wash it off.

Nowadays, Organic tomatoes are becoming popular. They are high in antioxidants such as quercetin (79% higher) and kaempferol (97% higher). They are protected from chemical contamination.

 

Before serving, wash tomatoes under cool running water and then dry them.

Tomatoes can be served raw or you can just include them in any of the recipes you want. Some simple eating ways are your tomato soups, salad, juice, with your pizzas, pasta, etc.

 Precautions

  • Tomato leaves are  In large amounts, they can cause poisoning.
  • The intake of tomato is safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. But large amounts should be avoided.
  • Tomatoes, especially the seeds of the vegetable, are rich in calcium and oxalate compounds. If you are suffering from minor kidney problems then avoid them because they are really difficult to digest.

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