Loving Impressive Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Loving Impressive Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Known scientifically as Solanum lycopersicum, the tomato is the berry of a plant from the nightshade family, native to South America.
Despite technically being a fruit, the tomato is generally categorized as a vegetable.
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate and vitamin K.
They are usually red when mature, but can come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green and purple.
Then there are many subspecies of tomatoes, with different shapes and flavor.

Health Benefits Of Tomatoes:

1. Vitamins And Nutritional Content

It provides almost 20 percent of the daily vitamin intake required, per serving, which is necessary for maintaining good health. It is also known to have all the positive nutrients needed for proper functioning of the human body according to USDA.

Nutritional Facts:

The water content of tomatoes is around 95%. The other 5% consist mainly carbohydrates and fiber.
One medium sized tomato (123 grams) contains only 22 calories.
The table below contains detailed information on the nutrients found in tomatoes

Nutrition Facts: Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw - 100 grams

	Amount
Calories	18
Water	95 %
Protein	0.9 g
Carbs	3.9 g
Sugar	2.6 g
Fiber	1.2 g
Fat	0.2 g
Saturated	0.03 g
Monounsaturated	0.03 g
Polyunsaturated	0.08 g
Omega-3	0 g
Omega-6	0.08 g
Trans fat	~

2. Control Heart Rate

Being rich in potassium content, it gives about 237 mg of potassium which is useful for controlling heart rate and is helpful in preventing heart diseases and strokes.

3. Prevent Eye Diseases

The vitamins such as vitamin A, flavonoid B complex, thiamine, folates, niacin, etc. are also present in tomatoes that help cure skin and eye diseases.

4. Anti-Cancerous

The antioxidant behavior of this vegetable also helps to prevent many unwanted reactions in the lungs, colon, and breasts that can tend to be cancerous. The antioxidants help in the treatment of cancer by preventing carcinogenic reactions in the body which stop by blocking free radicals from proceeding further.

5. Cell Repair And Muscle Building

It is a naturally rich source of protein, which is good for cell repair and muscle building.

6. Less Fat Content

Other basic nutrients include 4 grams of carbohydrates, 1 gram of protein, 18 calories and 0 grams of saturated fat. This vegetable can be eaten in good amounts due to the lower rate of calories in tomato.

7. Lower Cholesterol

Tomatoes seeds have no cholesterol. Thus, tomato seeds don’t add cholesterol to your diet. Tomato seeds are high in fiber; fiber is known to lower cholesterol. Tomato seeds also are rich sources of niacin (vitamin B3). Niacin has been used to lower cholesterol levels for many years.

8. Lower Blood Pressure

An Israelite researcher found that tomato seeds bring about a significant drop in blood pressure. The research was spread over eight weeks, where subjects ingested seeded tomatoes daily. It was noted that their blood pressure levels dropped. Tomato seeds and the berry itself contain an antioxidant called lycopene complex. This encourages a drop in both systolic (upper limit) and diastolic (lower limit) by approximately 5 points.

9. Prevent Blood Clots

Along with Vitamin C, lycopene and niacin, tomato flesh contains many health benefits. However, the seeds are surrounded by a mucus layer. The layer has been patented as Fruitlow by researchers. Fruitlow and lycopene both help unblock and prevent blood clots. Blood clotting is one of the major reasons for heart diseases today. Tomato seeds help prevent blood clots.

10. Anti-Inflammatory

Free radical production can activate the inflammatory compounds. Inflammatory compounds promote chronic ailments like atherosclerosis, osteoporosis, Alzheimer’s disease and cardiovascular disease. Tomato seeds’ lycopene and beta-carotene eradicate free radicals. This, in turn, helps arrest inflammation. Tomato seeds are thus an effective anti-inflammatory agent.

11. Prevent Acidosis

The human body is designed to maintain a pH of 7.365. However, our diet, irregular food patterns, and no exercise ensure that our body has a higher concentration of acid. This can cause acidosis, congestion, and reflux. Usually, the pH balance can be maintained by including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and sodium. Tomato flesh and seeds contain high amounts of these essential bases, and tomato seeds help us maintain the required pH balance and thus prevent acidosis.

12. Boost Immunity

Tomato seeds and flesh have been credited as immunity boosting agents. They help avoid common cold and influenza, especially for males. Carotenoid deficiency has been identified as the main culprit in these commonly occurring diseases. Low amounts of lycopene and beta-carotene have also been held responsible. Tomato seeds are excellent sources of the antioxidant lycopene and beta-carotene. Thus, they are effective immunity boosting agents.

13. Improve Eyesight

Tomatoes and their seeds contain high amounts of Vitamin A. Vitamin A has often been associated with excellent eyesight, and a deficiency of this vitamin causes night blindness. Tomato seeds thus help improve eyesight.