The many health benefits of eating tomatoes

by Stepy — April 30, 2018

Tomatoes are sometimes mistaken as vegetables, but they are actually fruits from the nightshade family. They are sweet, juicy, and perfect for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. While they may be tempting to eat raw, the health benefits of eating tomatoes are even more potent when they are cooked, as their nutrition gets unlocked.
“Cooked tomatoes (such as in tomato sauce or tomato paste) not only increases the lycopene content that can be absorbed by your body, but also increases the total antioxidant activity,” explains Dr. Joseph Mercola, a leading physician and nutrition expert. “Consume your tomatoes, whether raw or cooked, with some type of fat, such as olive oil, since lycopene is a fat-soluble nutrient,” Mercola adds.
Let’s take a look at the health benefits of tomatoes.
Antioxidant rich:
They are an excellent source of antioxidants such as vitamin A, C, E, and lycopene. They are also rich in folate and potassium along with thiamin, niacin, vitamin B6, magnesium, phosphorus and copper, all of which are necessary for good health.
Antioxidants protect the body from the effects of oxidative stress, which may help strengthen the immune system and ward off diseases. Dr. Andrew Weil explains, “Oxidative stress is the total burden placed on organisms by the constant production of free radicals in the normal course of metabolism plus whatever other pressures the environment brings to bear (natural and artificial radiation, toxins in air, food and water; and miscellaneous sources of oxidizing activity, such as tobacco smoke).” The effects of oxidative stress are often linked to chronic illnesses such as heart disease and many types of cancers.
Bone health:
We don’t often think of antioxidants when it comes to bone health, but it may be time to start paying more attention.
Lycopene can help with bone health.
In a study by St. Michael’s Hospital in Canada, lycopene was removed from the diets of postmenopausal women for a period of 4 weeks. The results showed that the women were much more susceptible to oxidative stress on their bones when they didn’t have lycopene in their diet.
Tomatoes contain vitamin K and calcium in them. Both are essential for strengthening bones.
Cancer prevention and prostate cancer:
Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants that may help kill the free radicals that are known to cause cancer.
Organic tomatoes due to their lycopene content have always been recommended as a food of choice for prostate cancer prevention.
More research have been linked to reducing the risk of prostate cancer in a University of Illinois study.
Heart health:
Organic tomatoes have shown many potent heart health benefits, especially in the area of heart disease. They are rich in vitamin C and E, which are heart healthy.
However, lycopene has been the main focus of studies on tomatoes and heart health.
A study published in the European Journal of Nutrition showed that lycopene had the ability to reduce the damage of oxygen on fats in cells lining the bloodstream. When these fats are damaged by oxygen, they can trigger inflammation and eventually serious conditions such as atherosclerosis.
Another study published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that tomato juice can lower LDL cholesterol, which according to the American Heart Association is a major risk for heart attack, heart disease and stroke.
Weight loss:
They are an excellent source of dietary fiber, with 1.8g per cup. Organic tomatoes are also low in calories, with only 27 per cup.
Foods that are fresh, low in calories, and high in dietary fiber are key to a successful weight loss diet.
AS ALWAYS: Check with your health practitioner before you change your diet. This organic food is not meant to replace any treatment or drugs you are taking.
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