The advantages of tomatoes for health

Tomatoes are one of the most versatile and popular foods. They are the second most consumed vegetable in America, behind only potatoes, despite the fact that technically speaking they are a fruit rather than a vegetable because they develop from a flower and contain seeds. It’s easy to see why they’ve been a staple in the human diet for so long given their lively appearance and versatile cooking applications. They are fantastic eaten raw in a salad or sandwich in addition to being used to produce a variety of sauces, soups, salsas, and chutneys. Tomatoes, and especially cherry tomatoes, are the ideal healthy snack since they are both delicious and portable.

Tomatoes may be found in a wide range of sizes, colors, and varietals. The majority of people are familiar with the typical round red tomato. However, the many types of colors range from green to yellow to orange and even purple and brown. Tomatoes also range in size from the tiny cherry tomato, the tiny vine tomato, the medium Roma tomato, the medium plum tomato, and the medium oval plum tomato all the way up to the largest tomato type, the beefsteak tomato. Each one has a different flavor profile. For instance, Roma tomatoes are ideal for paste and sauces because of their thicker peel. On the other hand, beefsteaks have juicy, tender pieces that are great for making sandwiches or salads.

Tomatoes are highly healthy, especially when consumed raw. They include a wealth of beneficial nutrients, including vitamins C, E, A, and K, as well as the minerals potassium, copper, and folate, all of which contribute to general health. Tomatoes are also strong in potent antioxidants like lycopene and beta carotene, which help prevent numerous illnesses and maintain healthy skin. Tomatoes may have beneficial effects on cardiovascular health and blood pressure if consumed often. It’s simple to get the many health advantages of this adaptable fruit by including it in your daily diet.

 Skin health

Tomatoes are more than simply a nice pizza topping. They may be highly effective when it comes to shielding your skin from the sun’s harmful rays. Tomatoes include lycopene and beta-carotene, two substances that can help protect your skin from the sun. Tomato puree contains the antioxidant lycopene, which has been demonstrated to lessen the severity of sunburn. In doing so, it contributes to delaying the onset of old age. Sun lotion is still required to protect your skin from the sun’s rays even after eating tomatoes because they do not prevent sunburn. Beta carotene is well-known for its skin-nourishing effects; when taken, it is transformed into vitamin A, which aids in preserving the skin’s barrier function and contributes to a more uniform skin tone.

Blood pressure

Tomatoes are chock full of beneficial elements that work together to keep your heart healthy and your blood pressure stable. Those who already have hypertension can effectively reduce their blood pressure by eating tomatoes on a daily basis. The plant chemicals lycopene, vitamin C, and potassium contribute to tomatoes’ ability to lower blood pressure. The combined effects of these three chemicals on blood pressure result in a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cancer

Lycopene, an antioxidant carotenoid, is what gives tomatoes their unique red color. While in considerably lower proportions than tomatoes, this chemical may also be found in watermelon and pink grapefruit. As an antioxidant, lycopene helps protect cells from damage caused by free radicals, which are produced by various bodily activities and have been linked to cancer. According to studies, Lycopene may offer protection against prostate cancer by inhibiting the development and spread of cancer cells. For this reason, it’s crucial for males to eat lots of tomatoes and tomato products like puree, soup, canned tomatoes, and even ketchup. This is because, unlike many other foods, lycopene’s bioavailability actually rises through heating and processing. This makes it considerably simpler for the body to utilize lycopene.

Pregnancy

Tomatoes are a fantastic option for pregnant women since they are high in vitamin C. This is not just because of the aforementioned benefits but also because vitamin C aids in the body’s absorption of the crucial element iron. Pregnant women need much more blood to support their growing child; thus, iron is vital for them. Vitamin C aids in the absorption and use of iron, which is essential for producing red blood cells and their ability to transport oxygen throughout the body. Tomatoes are a simple method to ensure both mother and child receive the nourishment they require during this crucial period.

Cholesterol

Tomatoes, including fresh, raw tomatoes, tomato paste, tomato juice, and other tomato-based products, can help lower bad cholesterol and triglycerides like statin drugs do. In fact, ingesting the equivalent of 25 micrograms of lycopene every day for two weeks can reduce bad cholesterol by as much as 10%. It is about comparable to a tiny glass of tomato juice every day. Tomatoes, which are high in lycopene and antioxidants, have been demonstrated to boost HDL cholesterol. To maintain a healthy cholesterol level and improve your long-term health, only one serving of tomatoes or tomato products daily may be sufficient.

Heart health

Maintaining a healthy heart requires controlling blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Tomatoes, on the other hand, have been shown to improve cardiovascular health further. Thanks to their high concentration of the antioxidant lycopene, Tomatoes have been linked to a reduction in stroke risk for men in their sixties of more than 50%.

Homocysteine is an amino acid that occurs naturally in the body; excessive levels of it have been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Tomatoes are beneficial because of the minerals they contain, which aid in the breakdown of homocysteine, therefore maintaining low levels and protecting our hearts simultaneously. Tomatoes also help reduce platelet-caused blood clots, which is another way they can help avoid cardiovascular disease. This aids in maintaining a healthy heart and blood vessels and blood flow.

As you can see, tomatoes have numerous health benefits, and as was indicated, processing increases lycopene, their most beneficial ingredient. But, if you want to maximize the health benefits of tomatoes, it is recommended to either produce your own or purchase organic tomatoes. Tomatoes grown organically at home are healthier since they have to fight against pests and diseases when chemicals don’t shield them. More nutrients are produced to do this. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, as the saying goes. The takeaway is to try to consume these vibrant, tasty fruits daily to protect yourself from various ailments.

References

• Top 20 Fruits and Vegetables Sold in the U.S. https://www.freshproduce.com/resources/consumer-trends/top-20/
• Is a Tomato a Fruit or a Vegetable and Why? https://www.eufic.org/en/healthy-living/article/is-a-tomato-a-fruit-or-a-vegetable-and-why
• 7 Popular Types of Tomatoes (and How to Use Them) https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/types-of-tomatoes
• Tips For Growing Roma Tomatoes https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/tips-for-growing-roma-tomatoes.htm
• Growing Beefsteak Tomato Plants In The Garden https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/edible/vegetables/tomato/growing-beefsteak-tomatoes.htm
• Tomatoes, raw https://www.nutritionvalue.org/Tomatoes%2C_raw_74101000_nutritional_value.html
• The Role of Phytonutrients in Skin Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3257702/
• Lycopene and Vascular Health https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5974099/
• Natural antioxidants from tomato extract reduce blood pressure in patients with grade-1 hypertension: a double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study https://lycocard.al/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/2006.pdf
• Tomato Extract for Hypertension? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/24012703_Tomato_Extract_for_Hypertension_Editorial_to_The_Effects_of_Natural_Antioxidants_from_Tomato_Extract_in_Treated_but_Uncontrolled_Hypertensive_Patients_by_E_Paran_et_al
• Lycopene: Food Sources, Biological Activities, and Human Health Benefits https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8626194/
• A Review of Epidemiologic Studies of Tomatoes, Lycopene, and Prostate Cancer http://www.health-mall.in/files_hl/lycopene_treating_prostate_cancer_with_locopene_c.pdf
• Iron deficiency anemia during pregnancy: Prevention tips https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/pregnancy-week-by-week/in-depth/anemia-during-pregnancy/art-20114455
• Iron Deficiency in Pregnancy and the Rationality of Iron Supplements Prescribed During Pregnancy https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2644004/
• An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850026/
• Protective effect of lycopene on serum cholesterol and blood pressure: Meta-analyses of intervention trials https://www.maturitas.org/article/S0378-5122(10)00446-9/fulltext
• Serum lycopene decreases the risk of stroke in men https://n.neurology.org/content/79/15/1540?sid%3D322b91a1-02f6-452c-9978-cf00fcc9c7e1=
• The effects of tomato consumption on serum glucose, apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A-I, homocysteine and blood pressure in type 2 diabetic patients https://bit.ly/3FcSwU0
• Platelets and atherogenesis: Platelet anti-aggregation activity and endothelial protection from tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum L.) https://www.spandidos-publications.com/10.3892/etm.2012.477#:~:text=Platelet%20anti%2Daggregation%20activity%20of,our%20research%20group%20(71)

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