They’re sweet, they’re juicy, they’re simply delicious, they’re packed with Vitamin C, they have no fat and they’re low in calories. Keep reading on to see why else a tomato is an excellent health choice.
Tomatoes are one of the most versatile foods. They can be eaten raw in a salad, cooked in a stew, or mixed in sauces. Even if you’re not a fan of the fruit in its pure, acidic form you can still enjoy the staple in a variety of preparations and reap the benefits by eating cooked, processed or prepared tomatoes.
Because tomatoes have such high water content, they’re great “filling foods”, meaning they’re enough to make you feel full. Just one tomato can pack in a powerful nutritional punch and when it’s roasted with some fresh mozzarella and oregano, there’s not much that can beat it.
The two main components found in tomatoes, coumaric acid and chlorgenic acid, helps your body fight against nitrosamines which are produced in the body and are the main carcinogens found in cigarettes. In addition, since they are highly rich in Vitamin A, tomatoes are known to reduce the effects of carcinogens that can protect you against lung cancer.
“Human beings do not eat nutrients, they eat food”, said Mary Catherine Bateson. A nutritional powerhouse, tomatoes are known for their antioxidant properties, which is what gives it that beautiful red colour, lowers the risk of heart disease, improves vision, lowers ‘bad’ cholesterol and decreases the risk of cancer. That should be reason enough for you to dig into this delicious grilled cheese with fresh slices of tomatina.
Did you know that tomato juice can help you reach your weight loss goals? A 12 ounce glass of fresh tomato juice contains barely 60 calories and is a great source of calcium, Vitamin C and iron. An added bonus is that tomato juice helps you deal with food cravings, since it has a sharp, acidic flavour that overwhelms the taste buds; you end up feeling more satisfied and avoid bingeing when you’re not hungry.
Tomatoes also contain lycopene, which boosts pro-collagen – the molecule that keeps your skin firm and youthful looking. So, give your palate a treat with this divine tomato paste (we’d recommend you whip it in some homemade spaghetti) and give your skin a well-deserved boost in the firming department.
Don’t lose sight of what’s good for you! Diseases of the eye, like cataract have a close association with your diet, and tomatoes are high in compounds, vitamins and minerals that contribute to good eye health. This makes them a great dietary choice, if you want to keep your eyes in top condition. In addition, they contain compounds that protect your eyes from light damage, which is something your body cannot synthesise and so have to be introduced to the body through the foods we eat.
Another note-worthy benefit of tomatoes is that unlike most other fruits and vegetables, tomatoes when cooked, retain some of their important phytocompounds. In some ways, tomatoes are even more nutritious when cooked because lycopene becomes more available to the body after it’s been cooked and many cooked tomato preparations are concentrated.
The very same molecule can also work as a preventive measure and protect you against sunburn. And while we are very well aware that a dietary addition or supplement is no substitution for sunscreen, tomatoes do offer significant protection against sunburn and works as a great de-tanner too!
Can’t sleep at night? Tomatoes to the rescue! This power-fruit really does have all the answers. Studies have shown that the healthiest sleepers consume more lycopene and also have higher levels of Vitamin C in their system. So the next time you’re suffering from a bout of insomnia, reach for a ripe juicy tomato or go for some fresh tomato salsa.
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Written by Nazneen Joshi on 19th Jun 2014