Tomato: Very Healthy Fruit
I used to hate tomato but now I love it because of its health benefits. I always make sure that I eat one fresh tomato a day... instead of one apple a day. Its cheaper and its healthier.
One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its' Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.
Here is some of the health benefits of tomato.
- Anti-oxidant: Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamins A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream. These dangerous free radicals can cause cell damage. And keep in mind, the more red the tomato, the more beta-carotene it contains. Also, remember that cooking destroys much of vitamin C, so stick with raw tomatoes for these benefits. Free radicals in the body can be flushed out with high levels of Lycopene, and the tomato is so amply loaded with this vital anti-oxidant that it actually derives its rich redness from the nutrient. Lycopene is not a naturally produced element within the body and the human body requires sources of Lycopene in order to make use of this powerful anti-oxidant. While other fruits and vegetables do contain this necessary health ingredient, no other fruit or vegetable has the high concentration of Lycopene that the tomato takes pride in.
- Diabetes: Tomatoes also have plenty of the mineral chromium, which helps diabetics to keep their blood sugar level under control. Studies show that daily consumption of tomatoes fulfills the body’s daily requirement of minerals and vitamins and therefore exerts a protective effect on it. Daily consumption of tomates alleviates diabetes and reduces the oxidation, thus exerting protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
- Smoking: Tomatoes can’t help you stop smoking, but what they can do is to help reduce the damage smoking does to your body. Tomatoes contain chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid, which help to fight against some of the carcinogens brought about by cigarette smoke.
- Vision: Tomatoes are also an excellent food to help improve your vision because it contains Vitamin A. This also means tomatoes can help your eyes be better about night blindness. In one study, lycopene and a wide range of dietary carotenoids were detected in high concentrations in ciliary body and retinal pigment epithelium, which leads researchers to believe that lycopene and other carotenoids, like lutein and zeaxanthin, may play a role in the prevention of age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, and other blinding disorders.
- Heart problems: Due to potassium and vitamin B, tomatoes help to lower blood pressure and to lower high cholesterol level. This, in turn, could help prevent strokes and other potentially life-threatening heart problems. Lycopene present in tomatoes has also been found to be very effectual in providing protection against heart attacks.
- Skin care: Because of high amounts of lycopene, a substance found in many of the more expensive over-the-counter facial cleansers, tomatoes are great for skin care. The best way to use tomatoes for skin care is to peel a bunch of them, eight to twelve, then lay back and place the tomato skins on your face (or other skin areas). Make sure the inside of the tomato skins are against your skin, and let this sit for at least 10 minutes. Then wash off. You’re face will be cleaner and more shiny, though it also might be a little red from the tomatoes. Don’t worry, that red on your face will wear away. Full of antioxidants, tomatoes combat signs of aging. When eaten once a day, they help to reduce the amount of free radicals in your body, helping to maintain the support system necessary for your skin and hair. They also help your body retain moisture, especially during times of the year when artificial climate control like heaters and air conditioners are running.
- Hair: Vitamin A in tomatoe is good for keeping your hair strong and shiny, and its also good for your eyes, teeth, skin and bones.
- Cancer: People who have diets rich in tomatoes, which contain lycopene, appear in some studies to have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, especially cancers of the prostate, lung, stomach, and colorectal cancer. Lycopene is considered somewhat of a natural miracle anti-oxidant that may help to stop the growth of cancer cells. And, interestingly enough, cooked tomatoes produce more lycopene than do raw tomatoes.
- Bones: Tomatoes have a fair amount of vitamin K and calcium, both of which help to strengthen and possibly repair in minor ways bones and bone tissue.
- Kidney stones and gallstones: Eating tomatoes without the seeds has been shown in some studies to lessen the risk of gallstones and kidney stones. Remember NO SEEDS.
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