Last updated on November 9th, 2021 at 04:37 pm
Even though tomatoes are a fruit, they are widely used and accepted in many savory vegetable dishes. Tomatoes are beautifully rich in beta-carotene, vitamin C, and lycopene – which is responsible for gorgeously red color. Studies have found that lycopene can be helpful in reducing the risk of prostate cancer, breast cancer, can help lower cholesterol, protect the eyes and skin, and boost immunity.
What are tomatoes good for?
Detoxification
Tomatoes are rich in potassium which plays a role in reducing water retention. Tomatoes are also an amazing source of glutathione (an antioxidant) that supports the body in removing fat-soluble toxins.
Cardiovascular Health
Tomatoes contain huge amounts of vitamin C, E, and beta-carotene which supports a healthy heart. Tomatoes are also a rich source of lycopene – it strengthens the walls of the blood vessels and removes cholesterol from the blood.
Anit-Cancer
Most cancers are linked to toxicity and oxidative stress caused by free radicals. Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants which play a role in preventing oxidative stress. Often eating tomatoes can help reduce the development and spread of cancer.
How to get the most from your tomatoes?
♦ Juice them. One glass of tomato juice contains 74% of the recommended daily vitamin C intake. Not the mention all the other key vitamins and minerals – B-vitamins, vitamin K, potassium, manganese, iron.
♦ Eat them cooked. Cooked tomatoes contain about five times more lycopene than raw.
♦ Eat the skin. The skin contains the highest concentration of carotenoids.
What about all the colors?
Green tomatoes
Green tomatoes are lower in lycopene but contain about the same amount of beta-carotene as red tomatoes.
Red tomatoes
Red tomatoes contain alpha- and beta carotene, lutein, lycopene which is the four major carotenoids.
Purple tomatoes
Purple tomatoes do exist in nature, and they are rich in anthocyanin.
Yellow tomatoes
Yellow tomatoes are also lower in lycopene, but they actually contain more niacin, and folate than red tomatoes.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
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