Benefits Of Tomatoes Turns out the humble tomato has some surprising benefits for both skin health and digestive wellbeing.
At first glance, tomatoes may seem like fruit due to being seed-bearing fruits that originate in a flowering plant’s ovary; but for sustenance purposes they’re classified as vegetables due to their lower carb and sugar contents; one medium-sized tomato contains only 22 calories with 5 total carb grams containing 3 sugar and 1.5 fiber; however this low-calorie, low-carb package offers many health benefits that have been linked with tomatoes; here are seven to consider along with easy ways of adding more tomatoes into daily meals and snacks!
Tomatoes Are A Great Source Of Vitamins
One tomato provides 40% of your daily recommended minimum vitamin C intake. Tomatoes also provide vitamins A, K and potassium; which help improve immunity, vision and skin health as well as maintaining blood pressure balance and fluid balance.
They Protect Heart Health
Tomatoes contain an anticancer agent known as lycopene that gives their red hue. According to research, for optimal heart health benefits it’s more effective to consume tomatoes and tomato products rather than supplement with lycopene supplements. Studies have linked higher blood levels of lycopene with reduced death rates among individuals suffering from metabolic syndrome – a cluster of risk factors linked with coronary disease, diabetes and stroke risk factors.
Improve You Vision
Enhance Your Vision Lycopene can also do wonders for the eyes. But tomatoes contain not just one eye-protective compound – lutein and beta-carotene are also present – according to research, these three substances support vision while protecting against cataracts and macular degeneration.
Boost Digestive Health
Tomatoes contain both liquid and fiber that could help you if you suffer from constipation, according to the USDA; each large tomato contains 6 ounces of liquid and 1.5 grams of fiber. Just be wary that their acidity could aggravate acid reflux or indigestion for certain individuals.
Help With Diabetes Management
Tomatoes may provide protection for people living with type 2 diabetes: according to one study, individuals who consumed cooked tomatoes for 30 days experienced reduced lipid peroxidation — the process in which free radicals attack fat molecules and cause harm which increases risk for coronary illness – in their bodies, potentially decreasing coronary risk significantly and stroke and respiratory failure risk significantly more quickly than before diabetes had taken hold. This benefit of tomatoes over other nutrients could prove especially relevant given that diabetes increases both risks.
Guard Skin Health
In a 2011 study, it was found that combining tomato paste and olive oil protected against sun damage, while increasing production of collagen-supportive molecules that give the skin its structure and keep it firm and youthful. Scientists acknowledge the lycopene found in tomatoes is critical; at its highest concentration when cooked tomatoes have been eaten while olive oil improves its absorption from your digestive tract into bloodstream.
Protect Against Cancer
Studies of Lycopene as an Anticancer Agent Over the past decades, numerous observational studies have discovered a correlation between increased levels of lycopene consumption and reduced instances of prostate, ovarian, lung, and stomach cancers.
Effective strategies to reap all of the advantages associated with tomatoes.
Your diet should include tomatoes in various forms: fresh, dried or as sauces such as salsa or paste to enjoy them year-round. This allows you to experience their flavor all year long!
Add new tomatoes to omelets and salads, sliced, drizzled with balsamic and embellished with basil, ocean salt and cracked black pepper for an elegant presentation. Dress new greens or steamed vegetables with sun dried tomato pesto; drizzle it over seared fish. Or combine pureed tomato with pureed beans as an ingredient for sauteed green beans or potatoes as a side dish; use pureed tomato as a garnish on sauteed green beans or potatoes instead!
