Health Benefits of Tomatoes
The USDA lists the following nutrients for 100 grammes of ripe, red tomatoes:
- Number of Calories: 18
- Calories: 1; Fat Content: 1g
- No cholesterol at all (in milligrammes)
- Five milligrammes of sodium
- Carbohydrates: 3.89 grammes
- 1.20 grammes of fibre
- Only 1 gramme of protein.
Low in calories and high in beneficial nutrients like vitamin C and potassium, tomatoes are a healthy addition to any diet. Tomatoes have a high concentration of the antioxidant lycopene, which gives them their distinctive red colour and has been linked to a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Nutritional benefits include reduced risk of chronic disease and improved ability to maintain an active lifestyle while enjoying fresh, cooked, or juiced tomatoes.
Potentially beneficial for brain health
Alzheimer’s disease affects the brains of 10% of Americans aged 65 and up.
The disease, which impairs memory, cognition, and behaviour, is a progressive form of dementia with no known cure. Tomatoes have antioxidants like lycopene that may protect against neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer’s; however, more research is needed to confirm this connection. Elderly participants who consumed a lot of lycopene showed a reduced rate of cognitive decline over a four-year period. More research on humans, especially on adults aged 60–65, is required to better understand the true connection between the possible protective benefits of tomatoes and AD and other neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease.
Maybe useful in warding off metabolic syndrome
The increased risk of developing cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and other major health issues that characterise metabolic syndrome.
The following conditions must be met:
- Possessing a hefty middle
- An issue with hypertension
- Diabetic coma
- Excessive levels of triglycerides and other blood fats
- decreased levels of HDL cholesterol
- Metabolic syndrome affects roughly one-third of adult Americans.
In terms of metabolic syndrome, researchers have found a possible link between lycopene status (the amount of lycopene in the blood) and lycopene consumption. Tomatoes are an excellent source of lycopene. Fifteen people took part in a small study where they drank tomato juice four times a week for two months. Although there was no uniform serving size for the juice, everyone saw improvements in their fasting insulin levels, bad LDL cholesterol, and good HDL cholesterol.
Assists in preserving cardiovascular health
Heart disease is the leading cause of death among American adults, but eating a diet high in tomatoes has been shown to lower that risk.
105 High lycopene intake, as well as high blood levels of the antioxidant, were associated with a 14% lower risk of cardiovascular disease, according to a meta-analysis of 25 published studies.
Another study used heart disease risk indicators to examine the impact of a single serving of raw tomatoes, tomato sauce, or tomato sauce with olive oil on healthy individuals. Triglycerides, another type of blood fat, were lowered across the board at all three dosages, while good “HDL” cholesterol and anti-inflammatory markers were increased. The best results were obtained when tomato sauce was combined with olive oil, most likely because olive oil improved lycopene absorption.
Possible aid in warding off bowel blockage
Constipation can be brought on by not getting enough fluids and fibre.
Tomatoes are an excellent source of both fluid and fibre, with one whole tomato providing more than four ounces of fluid and 1.5 grammes of fibre, respectively.
Tomatoes are beneficial because of their high water content and high fibre content, both of which aid in maintaining a healthy digestive system and regular bowel habits. Tomatoes are rich in both soluble and insoluble fibres, making them a valuable food source. Both soluble and insoluble fibres contribute to the bulkiness of faeces, but it is the former that creates a gel-like consistency when digested. In both cases, the result is less difficult to dispose of garbage. Tomatoes are beneficial because the fibres they contain, especially cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectins, are difficult for the large intestine to break down, resulting in regular, healthy bowel movements.
Potentially useful in warding off the onset of type 2 diabetes
Of all U.S. adults, 14.7% have type 2 diabetes and another 38% have prediabetes, a condition characterised by elevated but not quite diabetic blood sugar levels.
Some studies have linked lycopene’s antioxidant properties to lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. This is because it helps prevent cell damage, lowers inflammation, and strengthens the body’s immune system. Diabetes can be warded off by eating tomatoes, thanks to the fibre they contain.
Possibly lowers the likelihood of developing cancer
Tomatoes contain the antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene, both of which have been linked to cancer prevention. They achieve this goal in part by preventing DNA damage in cells, which can contribute to cancer, and by hastening the death of cancerous cells. Intakes of tomatoes, especially cooked tomatoes, have been linked to a reduced risk of prostate cancer in men in a number of studies. And overall, eating more non-starchy vegetables like tomatoes has been linked to a reduced risk of cancers of the colon, rectum, lung, stomach, and upper aerodigestive tract, among others (like the mouth, throat, and nasal sinuses).
Possible aid in post-workout recuperation
Antioxidants in tomatoes may help mitigate the damage exercise causes to proteins in the body. Taking 3.5 ounces of tomato juice for two months after exercise has been shown to improve recovery in one study involving athletes. A different study had 15 non-athletes exercise for 20 minutes on a bike after drinking 5 ounces of tomato juice for 5 weeks, then no juice for 5 weeks, and then juice again for 5 weeks. When blood was tested, it was discovered that consumption of the tomato juice significantly reduced exercise-induced damage markers.
Potential immune-system booster.
Tomato juice contains vitamin C and beta-carotene, both of which have potential immune-boosting properties. The levels of immune cells, including the natural killer cells that can destroy viruses, were found to increase significantly after drinking tomato juice, according to one study.
