HEALTH BENEFIT OF TOMATOES
Health benefit of tomatoes
Tomatoes are a source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a fruit from the nightshade family that is native to South America. Although it is a botanical fruit, it is often eaten and prepared as a vegetable.
They are a good source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K. Often red when ripe, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors including yellow, orange, green and purple.
Mentioned below are the best health benefits of tomatoes
1. Helps prevent cancer
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C and other antioxidants that work against free radicals in our body that can cause cancer. Tomatoes contain polyphenol which is a plant compound and is effective in preventing prostate cancer. Beta-carotene in tomatoes also has anti-carcinogenic effects.
2. Counters the bad effects of smoking
Smoking can cause lung cancer. Adding tomatoes to your diet will help prevent this dangerous disease because of the abundance of vitamin A. Nitrosamines are the main carcinogens in cigarettes. Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, found in tomatoes, help stop the harmful effects of these carcinogens.
3. Takes care of your heart
Eating tomatoes is good for your heart due to the presence of fiber, choline, vitamin C and potassium. Maintaining a potassium to sodium ratio is important for heart disease prevention. The fiber content of this vegetable regulates homocysteine levels in the blood. High levels of homocysteine can increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Eating tomatoes regularly helps reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in the blood and thus protects us from heart disease.
4. Helps improve vision
Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that works against harmful free radicals that can damage our eyes. Therefore, vitamin A helps protect against macular degeneration and night blindness and improves our vision in general.
5. It is good for your skin
Lack of vitamin C can be bad for your skin as it is easily damaged by sunlight, pollution and smoke. Your skin may develop wrinkles, or you may have saggy skin full of blemishes. Vitamin C prevents these conditions from developing because it facilitates the production of collagen which is an important part of the skin, hair, nails and connective tissue.
6.. Improves digestive health
Tomatoes have a good fiber that adds bulk to the stool and thus makes them go smoothly through the digestive tract. This prevents constipation and other problems. The fiber content helps release gastric juice and digestion and even helps stimulate peristaltic movements in the smooth digestive muscles. This helps regulate bowel movements and prevent diseases such as colorectal cancer.
7. It is good for diabetics
The effect of tomatoes on diabetes is twofold. People with type 1 diabetes reduce blood sugar levels when they eat fiber-rich foods like tomatoes. On the other hand, people with type 2 diabetes experience an increase in blood sugar, insulin, and lipids by eating a single serving of vegetables.
8. Reduces high blood pressure
Tomatoes contain potassium which is a vasodilator that reduces pressure on blood vessels and nerves. This helps to increase blood circulation and it reduces the stress on your heart and thus eliminates the risk of high blood pressure.
9. Helps prevent urinary tract infections
Tomatoes have a diuretic effect that helps to produce urine in our body. This helps flush out toxins as well as excess water, salt and uric acid. This reduces diseases like urinary tract infections and bladder cancer.
10. Helps prevent gallstones
Adding tomatoes to your diet will help prevent the condition of gallstones. This is due to the presence of many vitamins, minerals and important proteins in this vegetable.
The use of tomatoes
The fruits, leaves and vines of tomatoes are used medicinally. Tomato juice works as an astringent and helps improve the appearance of the face. Applying tomato juice to your skin helps keep it moisturized and fresh for longer. This vegetable is also an important ingredient in beauty treatments and can also heal wounds, blemishes and skin blemishes. Tomatoes also help promote hair health. Tomatoes are essential ingredients in the kitchens of many countries. It can be eaten plain or cooked in a variety of ways. They are often used in the preparation of salads and sauces.
Danger:
As with any fresh produce, raw tomatoes can contain bacteria such as Listeria or Salmonella, leading to foodborne illness. This is of greater concern to those who: are pregnant, over 65, under the age of five, or have a medical condition or are taking medication that lowers their lycopene levels. Research shows that tomatoes grown in the garden have higher lycopene than those grown in greenhouses. In addition, cooking tomatoes increases their lycopene content. And consuming them with fats, such as avocados or extra virgin olive oil, stimulates the absorption of lycopene from the digestive tract into the blood.
That being said, to get the best benefits, it is recommended that tomatoes are always eaten in different forms, including raw and cooked. Enjoy it as fresh pico de gallo. Add fresh tomatoes to hummus, olive tapenade or green vinaigrette. Grill or oven roast raw tomatoes, or enjoy cooked tomatoes as paste, sauce, and salsa, added to a variety of dishes such as soups, pasta, chili, and tacos. Sip tomato juice as is or use it as a base for gazpacho.
Summary:
Research shows that tomatoes and can reduce the risk of heart disease and many cancers. This fruit is also useful for physical health, because it can protect against stroke. Vegetables, which are also considered as fruits, are a strong source of nutrients such as vitamin C, potassium, and antioxidants, namely lycopene.
