Health & Beauty
10 Amazing Health Benefits Of Tomatoes
Fresh red ripe tomatoes
The bright red colour looking fruit called tomato is an important ingredient in different dishes worldwide. Tomatoes are used mostly as a vegetable, even though it is a fruit. This article is dedicated to discussing the health benefits of tomatoes.
The mere fact that tomatoes are packed with loads of antioxidants – lycopene, and vitamins – vitamin C, K and folate etc, makes it a food item with lots of health benefits.
Proven Health Benefits of Tomatoes:
1. It prevents cancer
Cancer cells
Over the years, studies have shown that tomatoes have cancer-preventive constituents. Due to its richness in antioxidants like lycopene and carotenoids, it helps the body to effectively check the cellular division.
Consuming tomatoes reduces the chances of developing cancer, most especially breast and prostate cancer.
2. Healthy Heart
Healthy heart
Research has shown that lycopene, a constituent of tomatoes, reduce the chances of a heart attack or stroke in a person if present in the blood in the right amount.
The harmful cholesterol level in the blood is decreased by tomatoes consumption, it also reduces the chances of atherosclerosis, by protecting the inner lining of blood vessels in the body.
In addition to containing constituents like folate, vitamin C, fibre and lycopene, it also contains a high amount of potassium, which aids in sodium reduction in the blood. This confers on tomatoes the right to be referred to as one of the ideal food for a healthy heart.
3. Protects the skin
Protects the skin
Aside from being an antioxidant, lycopene also has an anti-inflammatory effect, hence it protects the skin from sunburn.
Research has shown that a combined consumption of tomatoes and olive oil protects the skin from sunburns.
4. Bone health improvement
Bone health improvement
Constituents like calcium, vitamin K and lycopene in tomatoes gives it a strengthening effect on bones. Hence it guards against bone fracture and bone loss in postmenopausal women.
5. Antioxidative
Antioxidative
High level of vitamins A and C in tomatoes, guards against free radicals, which is harmful to the cell and its components.
Ideally, tomatoes should be consumed raw, because cooking destroys vitamin C. The antioxidative properties of tomatoes make it an anti-ageing food item.
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6. Anti-Depressant
Anti-Depressant
Research has proven that tomatoes possess the ability to alter moods and reduce depression.
The folic acid present in tomatoes controls the production of homocysteine in the body which controls mood hormones directly,
Tomatoes contain a good quantity of lycopene, Beta-carotene and carotenoids which boosts mood and brain health.
7. Controls Hypertension
Controls Hypertension
Due to the high levels of potassium content, tomatoes are perfect in controlling blood pressure levels. Consumption of unsalted tomato juice reduces blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
8. Boosts Immunity
Boosts Immunity
Constituents of tomatoes; vitamin C and antioxidants, aids in boosting the body’s immune system.
9. Boosts eye functions
Boosts eye functions
Tomatoes possess high amounts of vitamin A – a major component of the retinal pigment which functions to make vision possible.
Consuming tomatoes ensures the eye is in perfect condition. Aside from vitamin A, carotenoids present in tomatoes aids in the improvement of vision.
10. Aids digestion
Aids digestion
High levels of fibre content in tomatoes, makes it perfect in aiding digestion. They improve inconsistencies in bowel movements and prevents the absorption of toxic materials in the gut.
Conclusion
Tomatoes possess a high amount of minerals like zinc, chromium, etc. This amazing fruit comes in various forms and sizes and can be consumed raw, baked, cooked etc.
