Tomatoes often are thought to be a vegetable,
though in reality they are a fruit. Whether you call them a fruit or a
vegetable, tomatoes are a nutritional powerhouse and can provide immense health
benefits when included in your diet plan.
They contain a good amount of vitamins A, C, and K, folate
and potassium along with thiamine, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus
and copper, all of which are necessary to maintain good health.
The best part is that tomatoes are naturally low in sodium,
saturated fat, cholesterol and calories. They go well in salads and sandwiches,
as gravy for vegetables, and in sauces and soups.
1. Keeps Skin Healthy
Regular consumption of tomatoes will help make your skin
look great. Tomatoes have lycopene, an antioxidant that helps protect skin
against sun damage. It also makes skin less sensitive to ultraviolet light
damage, one of the main causes of fine lines and wrinkles on the face. Also,
tomatoes can be used to minimize large pores, heal acne and rashes or treat
minor burns. Rubbing the pulp of tomatoes on dull skin is a simple way to
revive a healthy glow.
2. Supports Bone Health
Tomatoes are good for your bones due to the presence of
vitamin K and calcium in them. Both these elements are excellent for
strengthening and repairing bones. The antioxidant lycopene also has been shown to improve bone
mass, which is a great way to fight osteoporosis, a disease that can lead to
bone fractures, disability, and deformity.
3. Improves Vision
The high amount of vitamins A and C in tomatoes can greatly
help improve your vision and prevent night blindness. Recent research shows
that the vitamin A in tomatoes helps reduce the risk of macular degeneration, a
serious and irreversible eye condition. Tomatoes also can reduce the risk of developing cataracts.
Plus, tomatoes contain the phytochemical antioxidants zeaxanthin, lutein and
lycopene. All these compounds protect the eyes from light damage.
4. Reduces Hair Problems
Tomatoes can even make your hair look better. The vitamins
(especially vitamin A) and iron present in tomatoes help strengthen hair as
well as add shine to dull, damaged and lifeless locks. Plus, the acidity in
tomatoes helps balance the pH levels in your hair, which in turn helps remove
hair colors and dyes and maintain your hair’s natural color. If you have an itchy scalp and dandruff, simply apply fresh
tomato juice on your scalp and hair after shampooing, leave it in for four to
five minutes and then rinse with cold water.
5. Lowers Blood Sugar Levels
Tomatoes are a great food for diabetics to lower their blood
sugar levels. They contain very little carbohydrates, which helps control the
urine glucose level. They are also a very good source of chromium that helps
regulate blood sugar, as well as fiber, which has been shown to keep blood
sugar levels from getting too high. Several studies have shown that the antioxidants in tomatoes
also provide protection to the kidneys and bloodstream, two areas frequently
affected by diabetes. Finally, a low-calorie food like tomatoes can be helpful
for diabetics trying to lose weight.
6. Wards off Cancer
A study published in the Journal of the National Cancer
Institute suggests that eating more tomatoes lowers the risk of prostate
cancer. It may also decrease the risk of other cancers like lung, stomach,
cervical, mouth, pharynx, throat, esophagus, colon, rectal, and ovarian cancer.
This is primarily due to the antioxidant lycopene that is present in tomatoes.
A study published in the Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition states that
the anti-cancer benefits of tomatoes are maximized when they are cooked with
olive oil.
7. Controls Weight
Tomatoes can help you lose weight also. Tomatoes are very
low in fat and have zero cholesterol. They contain lots of water and fiber, so
they help your stomach fill up fast without a lot of calories. So, if you are
planning to lose weight, include lots of tomatoes in your diet plan. You can
eat them raw like an apple or add them to salads, casseroles, sandwiches and
other meals.
8. Promotes Sound Sleep
According to a study from the University of Pennsylvania’s
Perelman School of Medicine, those who consume more lycopene enjoy better sleep
compared with people who do not. Tomatoes contain a good amount of lycopene. Also,
including higher levels of vitamin C in your diet can promote sound sleep and
tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C. So, if you are not sleeping properly,
try eating tomato soup or a salad with tomatoes at dinner time.
9. Lowers Blood Pressure
Tomatoes, which are rich in potassium, can help lower blood
pressure. It has been found that blood pressure can rise when your diet lacks
potassium, especially if you consume too much sodium. Potassium helps flush
sodium from your body. Just one cup of fresh tomatoes contains 11.4 percent of
your daily requirement of potassium, so eating more tomatoes is a great way to
fight high blood pressure and reduce the risk of various heart diseases. At the same time, tomatoes contain an array of powerful
nutrients like lycopene, vitamins A and C, fiber, and carotenoids that work
together to reduce the risk of heart disease.
10. Reduces Chronic Pain
Tomatoes can even reduce chronic pain, due to the presence
of anti-inflammatory agents like bioflavonoids and carotenoids. Those who
regularly suffer from mild to moderate pain often have inflammation. Reducing
inflammation will automatically bring pain relief.
A study found that drinking a glass of tomato juice daily
can reduce blood levels of TNF-alpha, which causes inflammation, by 34 percent.
Tomatoes are a good food for people suffering from chronic, degenerative health
problems like heart disease, cancer, osteoporosis and Alzheimer’s.
So the next time you are produce shopping, do not forget to
add tomatoes to your basket. Whether fresh, stewed, juiced, pureed or
sun-dried, eating tomatoes is an easy and delicious way to remain healthy.
Nutrition
Facts
No comments:
Post a Comment