Tomato benefits

Tomatoes are a versatile and delicious fruit. Though used more often in applications you would typically see reserved for a vegetable, there are truly countless ways you can consume tomatoes—from raw to a component used in pastes, sauces, juices, and more! Let’s take a closer look at tomato nutrition—the ins and outs of what this fruit contains, how it benefits your overall health, any risks you should be aware of when consuming them, and more! Fun Facts About Tomatoes • Tomatoes are the world’s most popular fruit! There are over 60 million tons of tomatoes produced in any given year to meet this high demand, spread across the more than 10,000 tomato varieties—which ranks them well above bananas, apples, oranges, and other popular fruits. • The tomato is the State Fruit of Ohio, but the State Vegetable of New Jersey—and in Arkansas, it’s both. Talk about confusing! While tomatoes are of the nightshade family and are botanically a fruit, in the late 1800s, the United States Supreme Court declared them a vegetable so they could raise taxes on the growth and export of tomatoes. • Even after they have been harvested, tomatoes will continue to gain weight as they ripen (and we have an article where you can learn all about Tomato Nutrition Facts Tomato nutrition content will vary slightly based on any tomato variety, with some being a bit fleshier and others less firm, etc. However, overall, you will find that tomatoes have a water content of about 95% total, with the other 5% o...

Lycopene is an antioxidant -- it fights molecules called free radicals that can damage your cells and affect your immune system. Because of that, foods high in lycopene, like tomatoes, may make you less likely to have lung, stomach, or prostate cancer. Some research shows they might help prevent the disease in the pancreas, colon, throat, mouth, breast, and cervix as well. Tomatoes have substances called lutein and zeaxanthin that may help protect your eyes from the blue light made by digital devices like smartphones and computers. They also may help keep your eyes from feeling tired and ease headaches from eyestrain. And some research shows they may even make you less likely to have a more serious form of the leading cause of blindness in the U.S.: age-related macular degeneration. Some studies show that tomatoes may be helpful for people who have asthma and may help prevent emphysema, a condition that slowly damages the air sacs in your lungs. That may be because lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin, among other antioxidants, fight the harmful substances in tobacco smoke, which is the leading cause of emphysema. Scientists are trying to learn more about those effects. Getting more tomatoes into your diet may make you less likely to have a stroke, which is when blood flow gets cut off to a part of your brain. Studies suggest that they may ease inflammation, boost your immune system, lower your cholesterol levels, and keep your blood from clotting. All those things may help pr...

After observing these results with a short-term intervention, the research team plans to progress to similar studies in people, looking for health-related links between tomatoes in the diet and changes to the human gut microbiome – the community of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract. “It’s possible that tomatoes impart benefits through their modulation of the gut microbiome,” said senior author Jessica Cooperstone, assistant professor of horticulture and crop science and food science and technology at The Ohio State University. “Overall dietary patterns have been associated with differences in microbiome composition, but food-specific effects haven’t been studied very much,” Cooperstone said. “Ultimately we’d like to identify in humans what the role is of these particular microorganisms and how they might be contributing to potential health outcomes.” The tomatoes used in the study were developed by Ohio State plant breeder, tomato geneticist, and co-author David Francis, and are the type typically found in canned tomato products. Ten recently weaned control pigs were fed a standard diet and 10 pigs were fed the standard diet fine-tuned so that 10 percent of the food consisted of a freeze-dried powder made from tomatoes. Fiber, sugar, protein, fat and calories were identical for both diets. The control and study pig populations lived separately, and researchers running the study minimized their time spent with the pigs – a series of precautions designed to...

A team of qualified and experienced fact-checkers carefully reviews our content before it is published on our website. At MIDSS, we rely on the latest and most reliable sources, which are cited in the text and listed at the end of each article. We also do not accept plagiarised and misleading content from our authors and contributors. Read more about our Benefits of tomatos to your health Nutrition In Tomatoes Tomatoes have considerable nutritional value, but the exact amount of nutrients varies depending on the variety of tomato, its size and its ripeness. On average, 100 grams of red, ripe tomato (one raw tomato) contains less than a gram of fat and 18 calories. Additionally, there are 5 milligrams of sodium, roughly 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of fiber and less than a gram of protein. Tomatoes have high amounts of folate, vitamin K, vitamin C and potassium, as well as beta – carotene and lycopene – an [2] most well-known for giving tomatoes their red color and helping to reduce risk of disease. Health Benefits Of Tomatoes Help Protect The Brain Tomatoes contain [3] and beta-carotene, antioxidants that, among other things, can help prevent damage to brain cells. For best results, eat your tomatoes (and all your veggies) with a side of fat, such as olive oil or grass-fed butter – this allows the nutrients to be better absorbed and assimilated in the body. Healthy sources of fat feed the brain as well, so together, tomatoes and fat boost brain function. Tomatoes and f...

Advocates of using tomato on your face suggest that it should be part of your regular cleansing, toning, and moisturizing skin care routine. Beyond anecdotal evidence, there’s some scientific reasoning behind claims that tomato’s ingredients could aid in: • exfoliation • fighting cellular damage • moisturizing • reducing sunburn risk There are both commercial treatments and traditional remedies for treating the itching, flaking, and cracking of dry skin. According to a Since tomatoes are a good source of potassium, many natural healers suggest that the application of tomato directly to the skin will address dry skin issues. There’s no scientific evidence, however, that shows that the topical application of tomato will provide the same benefits as a traditional moisturizer. There’s no question that tomatoes can be a healthy addition to your diet, but if eating them results in an The sensitive skin on your face might also have a reaction to the fruit’s high natural acidity, resulting in: • redness • rash • itching Before using tomato on your entire face, do a patch test. Pick a small area of skin and apply the tomato. Monitor the area for the next 24 hours for signs of an adverse reaction — such as redness, itchiness, and swelling — before performing a full facial application. There isn’t enough clinical research to fully support the anecdotal benefits associated with topical facial application. If you’re thinking about adding tomato to your skin care routine, talk to a derm...

Have you ever wondered if a tomato is a fruit or a vegetable? Botanists classify tomatoes as fruit because they develop from the ovary of flowering plants and contain seeds. However, because tomatoes are prepared and served as vegetables, they're generally thought of as a vegetable from a culinary perspective. • Calories: 16 • Fat: 0.2g • Sodium: 5mg • Carbohydrates: 3.5g • Fiber: 1.1g • Sugars: 2.4g • Protein: 0.8g • Vitamin C: 12.5mg • Vitamin K: 7.2mcg • Potassium: 215.7mg • Vitamin A: 38.2mcg • Folate: 13.7mcg • Beta carotene: 408.6mcg • Lycopene: 2341.4mcg • Vitamin E: 0.5mg Carbs A small tomato (91g) contains 3.5 grams of carbs. Of the carbohydrates, 2.4 grams are from naturally occurring sugars, and 1.1 grams come from fiber. Tomatoes are considered a low glycemic index food. May Reduce Risk of Prostate Cancer Lycopene acts on various biochemical pathways that help prevent cancer cells from developing and spreading. Lycopene is higher in processed tomato foods (such as ketchup or canned tomatoes) because the processing involves removing water and leaving a more concentrated tomato product. Supports Heart Health The lycopene in tomatoes works synergistically with other antioxidant vitamins (like vitamins A, E, and C) to provide compounding benefits for heart health. Some studies demonstrate a relationship between the lycopene in tomatoes and an oxidized LDL and arterial plaque reduction. Tomatoes also contain potassium, which is well-known to reduce blood pressure. M...

Tomatoes are a fruit from the nightshade family and are native to South America. Today, people grow tomatoes throughout the world. Tomatoes have been a part of our diet since at least 500 BC when historians believe people in what is now southern Mexico were cultivating the plant. Over time, tomatoes became popular among Europeans, who brought it to other parts of the world. Botanically, tomatoes are a fruit because they contain seeds and the plant produces a ripened flower ovary. However, most recipes that include tomatoes treat them like a savory vegetable. There is even legal support to bolster the claim that tomatoes are vegetables — the US Supreme Court declared the tomato a vegetable in 1893. You can find tomatoes in various colors, including yellow, green, orange, and purple. You'll also find many shapes and sizes of tomatoes, each with a distinct flavor profile. Tomatoes offer many significant health benefits. They are Health Benefits Tomatoes contain the antioxidant lycopene, which may provide several health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and certain cancers. Skin Health The lycopene in tomatoes supports healthy skin by protecting it from some of the harmful effects of sun damage. Vitamin A, also found in tomatoes, promotes skin health, as well. Cancer Prevention Lycopene may reduce your risk of developing prostate, colorectal, and stomach cancer. Studies have shown that the antioxidant can slow the growth of cancerous cells. Bone Health The ca...

"Tomatoes are low in calories, (about 25 calories per one medium-size tomato) yet filled with nutrition," said But Americans didn't always take advantage of tomatoes' goodness. Tomatoes were used as a decorative plant until the late 1800s. People thought tomatoes were poisonous, probably because they belong to the nightshade family, according to the Fruit or vegetable? Whether a tomato is classified as a fruit or a vegetable depends on whom you ask. A botanist would tell you that a tomato is a fruit as well as a berry because it develops from a single fertilized ovary. A chef or U.S. politician, however, might disagree. In 1886, in a tax lawsuit with a tomato importer, the Supreme Court ruled that tomatoes are vegetables, according to There are hundreds of varieties of tomatoes. They can bered, pink, yellow, orange/tangerine, green, purple, brown, or black, according to World's Healthiest Foods. Among the largest varieties are beefsteak and beef master tomatoes. Roma tomatoes are medium in size, and cherry and grape tomatoes are small. The term "heirloom tomatoes" has several different meanings. Traditionally, the term refers to seeds that get handed down from generation to generation within a family. But there are also "commercial heirloom" tomatoes in the marketplace, which are often produced from cross-breeding and open pollination. Nutrient profile "Tomatoes are high in fiber and a good source of vitamin A, C, B2 … folate and chromium," said Mangieri. The vitamins act ...

6/13/2011– There is more to eating Florida tomatoes than good taste, they are great for your health! 10 good reasons to eat more! Tomatoes are full of health enhancing properties, read on to discover how the humble tomato can improve your health. Tomatoes are loaded with many, many health benefits. In fact, they are incredibly versatile and can be prepared in a seemingly endless number of dishes, as well as being great to eat alone. Keep reading to find out why you need to stop neglecting tomatoes as a part of your regular balanced diet. 10 Health Benefits from Eating Tomatoes 1. Tomatoes are good for your skin. Tomatoes contain a high level of lycopene, which is a substance that is used in some of the more pricy facial cleansers that are available for purchase over-the-counter. If you want to try tomatoes for skin care, you need to start with about eight to twelve tomatoes. Peel the tomatoes and then place the skin on your face with inside of the tomato touching your skin. Leave the tomatoes on your face for a minimum of ten minutes, then wash. Your face will feel clean and shiny. Some redness may occur, but should fade with time. 2. Tomatoes help prevent several types of cancer. A number of studies have been conducted that indicate that the high levels of lycopene in tomatoes works to reduce your chances of developing prostate, colorectal and stomach cancer. Lycopene is a natural antioxidant that works effectively to slow the growth of cancerous cells. Cooked tomatoes pr...