The Facts And Health Benefits Of Tomatoes
What you need to know about tomato and its effect on your body.
Tomato is a red berry fruit that got its origin from the central and southern parts of America. It is a very good source of food flavor and can be used in different ways, some of which include;
using it raw in salads, for making stew, ketchup, pickles, tomato soup, integrated into the different variety of dishes, unripe tomatoes can be breaded and fried, and also for making tomato juice.
Green Tomatoes
Green tomatoes are not really a specific variety of tomatoes, any tomato that is not ripe can be regarded as green tomato.
This type of tomatoes are more in abundance when the needed temperature for ripping has dropped below normal.
These tomatoes can also be consumed and it has been known to have a tangy flavor and crispy texture.
It has been found to be more delicious when fried green and as such the most popular way it can be prepared. It is easy to slice, dredged and fried.
It can form a very good part of your delicacy as a stew and can also be used as pickles.
Most people believe that green tomatoes belong to the garbage as they do not taste sweet and juicy like the ripe ones.
However green tomatoes have their own delicious merits that need just as much attention as the ripe ones.
Tomato and its nutrients
Tomato has a whole lot of nutrients as it contains; 32.01cal, 1700.15g of water, 5.82g of carbs, 1.57g of protein, 2.21g of fiber and 0g of cholesterol.
It will also be of great interest to let you know that tomato is very rich vitamins and minerals which includes;
24.69mg of vitamin c, 18.01mg of calcium, 43.mg of phosphorus, 427.0mg of potassium and a whole lots of vitamin A (1499IU).
Read Also; The Health Benefits of African Pear
Health advantages of tomatoes
It is an excellent source of good vision
Vitamin A has been known to have health benefits to the eyes organ and this vitamin form a key nutritional component of tomato.
This vitamin accumulates at the retina part of the eyes and thereby prevents macular degeneration.
It helps to control and prevent diabetes
Studies have shown that adequate consumption of tomato fruit has a positive effect of reducing type 2 diabetes by helping to maintain a good blood health.
Fight against cancer
Tomatoes have been known to contain large amounts of antioxidants such as lycopene, which helps to fight against cancerous cells such as lung cancer, prostate and stomach cancer.
Improve skin health
Tomatoes contain carotenoids that have been proven to reduce the effect of ultraviolet rays on the skin.
This fruit contains other nutrients like vitamin A and C that can make your skin looks like that of a baby.
Tomatoes aid weight loss
For many persons who desire an excellent weight gain control, tomato fruit can go along way to help you as it contains zero cholesterol and can help reduce your cholesterol level which contributes immensely to weight gain.
How best can you eat tomatoes raw or cooked?
Studies over time have shown that cooking of tomatoes can help to raise their nutritional value especially the activity of antioxidants and lycopene compounds.
Side effect of tomatoes
Consuming too many tomatoes raw can lead to heart burn as tomatoes are naturally acidic.
People who have allergies to tomatoes can have allergic reactions such as itching, swelling in the mouth and irritation of the oesophagus.
Note: Organic tomatoes are safer to eat as they are freer from chemical compounds which can cause health problems.
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