Learn about the extraordinary properties of the tomato, many benefits to live better and keep in shape.
The tomato is considered the work of art of the tables in summer and it can really make us feel better due to its beneficial characteristics.
The tomato is considered the most widespread fruit all over the world after the potato and although it is considered a vegetable it is actually a fruit, rich in nutritious substances and vitamins, it is also a source of natural antioxidants. It originates from South America but was widespread all over the world in a very fast way, also because it is used in many ways either cooked or raw and contains very little calories too, although nowadays it is found all year round the tomato is a typical summer product mostly found in July and August. Its verstility is also due to the fact that on the contrary to other vegetables when cooked it doesn’t lose its properties but it actually increases them. There are various varieties of tomatoes and amongst the most known we find: San Marzano, Insalatario, Picadilly, Fiorentino and many more. It is almost put in all diets also the limited ones due to its low calorie content, tomatoes infact are rich in water, vitamins and minerals and 100g of fresh tomatoes give us only 18 calories.
TOMATO’S PROPERTIES
ANTICANCER:
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene and many fundamental nutrients which give it preventive properties against cancer and in particular colon and prostate cancer.
HELPS PREVENT HEART DISEASE:
Tomatoes are considered equal to natural medicine used for the prevention of heart disease and the consumption of tomatoes is tightly lined to the reduction of the risk of contrasting heart disease by 29% less.
RICH IN LYCOPENE:
Lycopene is one of the most powerful antioxidants and is considered a protective food against degenerative diseases linked to ageing. Lycopene is able to protect us from genetic damages and related diseases. The lycopene content in tomatoes is equivalent to 11mg/100g in the pulp and 54mg/100g in the peel.
HELPS PREVENT OSTEOPOROSIS:
Certain studies have connected the appearance of osteoporosis during menopause with a shortage of lycopene, hence it was recommended to eat foods rich in lycopene at all ages. Lycopene is found also in foods such as watermelon, persimmon and grapefruit apart in tomatoes.
VITAMIN C:
Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which is indispensable for our organism. According to the WHO the daily recommended quantity of vitamin C to be assumed each day is equivalent to 45mg, in order to prevent numerous diseases and to make our immune system work correctly. 100g of ripe tomatoes contain approximately 25mg, whilst 100g of tomato paste contains 43mg.
PROTECTS EYESIGHT:
Tomatoes are rich in betacarotene and lutein, indispensable for protecting our eyes from degenerative diseases.
REDUCES CHOLESTEROL:
Different studies highlighted how tomatoes can be useful to keep the level of cholesterol in the blood in control, therefore it is very useful for those suffering from this disorder.
WEIGHT LOSS:
Everyone can consume tomatoes thanks to their low calorie content, hence they can be useful in a weight loss diet, apart from this it has also been noticed that tomatoes can help our organism lose weight, due to the fact that it contributes in the increase of the production of the Carnitine amino acid, used by our organism to transform lipids into energy.
DIURETIC:
It contains a lot of water, therfeore it stimulates our diuresis especially if consumed fresh and raw, without the addition of salt.
DIGESTIVE:
Tomatoes help in the correct functioning of our bowel due to their vegetable fibre content, such as hemicellulose and cellulose, particularly present in its peel. The consumption of tomatoes is also recommended to those suffering from constipation or sluggish bowels.
Tomatoes are tollerated by almost everyone except by those who are allergic to nickel, but also by who suffers from gastric acidity, for those suffering from headache tomatoes must be consumed very ripe because the green tomato contains solanine a substance that is responsible for migraine.
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