What are the benefits of tomatoes?
Health

Gambar : dok.google.co.id

KANGJO.NET, Kelua City of tabalong. As reported by merdeka.com Benefits If you eat tomatoes every day it is very good for your health. It is suitable as a serving menu in the morning, lunch, refreshing drink or eaten raw at night. Technically the tomato is a type of fruit, because it is a seed and develops from the ovary of a flowering plant. Although it is generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable.

Tomatoes are a major food source of the antioxidant lycopene, which is linked to many health benefits. The owner of the scientific name Solanum lycopersicum is a fruit from the nightshade family originating from South America.

Tomatoes contain many important compounds and minerals that are needed by the body. Until it is called a source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K. Usually red when ripe, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple.

What's more, there are many subspecies of tomatoes with different shapes and tastes. So if you want to get the benefits of eating tomatoes, you can occasionally try other species. As well as processing with a variety of snack menus, so you don't get bored easily.

Here are some of the benefits of tomatoes every day for health, complete with proper consumption methods.

 

1. The Nutritional Content of Tomatoes and a Good Source of Vitamins

One tomato can provide about 40% of the minimum daily recommended vitamin C. Reporting from Health, tomatoes contain many important nutrients for heart function, muscle contraction, and maintaining healthy blood pressure and fluid balance.

Following are the nutrients in a small raw tomato of around 100 grams, as quoted from Healthline:

· The water content of tomatoes is about 95%, the other 5% consists mainly of carbohydrates and fiber.

· Calories: 18

· Protein: 0.9 grams

· Carbohydrates: 3.9 grams

· Sugar: 2.6 grams

· Fiber: 1.2 grams

· Fat: 0.2 grams

· Fiber 1.5 grams

· Potassium

· Vitamin C provides about 28% of the daily requirement.

· Vitamin K1

· Folate (vitamin B9)

The main plant compounds in tomatoes are:

·Lycopene: Red pigment and antioxidant

Beta carotene: An antioxidant that often gives foods their yellow or orange color, beta carotene is converted to vitamin A in the body.

Naringenin: Found in the skin of tomatoes, this flavonoid has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect against various diseases.

· Chlorogenic acid: A strong antioxidant compound

·Chlorophyll and carotenoids: such as lycopene, are responsible for the rich color of tomatoes.

 

2. Good for Heart Health

The benefits of eating tomatoes are very good for maintaining heart health, including preventing heart attacks and strokes. Increasing evidence from clinical trials, shows that supplementing with lycopene can help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Plus, the benefits of eating tomatoes show a protective effect on the inner lining of blood vessels. It can also reduce the risk of blood clots.

A study from the National Institutes of Health (NIH), shows that in terms of heart health benefits, it is more effective to eat tomatoes and tomato products than taking lycopene supplements.

 

3. Improves Vision

As previously mentioned, tomatoes contain beta carotene, lutein and lycopene. All three are good for maintaining health and improving vision.

According to studies, these nutrients support vision and protect against eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration.

 

4. Prevent Cancer

Cancer is the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells that spread beyond their normal limits. A dangerous disease that often attacks other parts of the body.

Observational studies note a link between the benefits of eating raw and processed tomatoes, reducing the risk of prostate, lung, and stomach cancer.

Meanwhile, the high lycopene content is believed to play an important role in this. A study in women, showed that high concentrations of carotenoids, which are found in high amounts in tomatoes, may protect against breast cancer.

 

5. Good for Skin Health and Youthful

The benefits of eating tomatoes are considered good for skin health. Tomato-based foods, which are rich in lycopene and other plant compounds, can protect your skin from sunburn.

According to a study from the NIH, eating 40 grams of tomatoes in the form of a paste, provides 16 mg of lycopene. Additional olive oil consumed daily for 10 weeks. They experience 40% less sunburn.

The benefits of eating tomatoes, are able to increase the production of pro-collagen, the molecule that gives structure to the skin and keeps it firm and youthful. Scientists believe that the lycopene in tomatoes is the key.

The highest concentration when cooked tomatoes and olive oil, increases absorption from the digestive system into the bloodstream.

 

6. Improves Digestive Health

The amount of water and fiber in tomatoes can help constipation sufferers. Until mentioned for those who want to run a diet program, it is very suitable if you consume tomato juice on an empty stomach or before eating. It is good for smooth bowel movements and fast satiation.

However, it should be noted that in some people, the acidity of tomatoes can trigger or worsen acid reflux and indigestion.

 

7. Helps Maintain Diabetes Levels

Tomatoes can be a protective food for type 2 diabetes sufferers. From a study published by NIH, diabetics ate tomatoes for 30 days. They experienced a reduction in lipid peroxidation, a chain reaction in which substances called free radicals attack fats, causing damage to the heart.

This reaction is very important, because diabetes can multiply strokes and heart attacks. The benefits of eating tomatoes will help reduce these risks.

 

Other Benefits of Eating Tomatoes

8. Lower high blood pressure

9. Reduce hair loss

10. Prevent hypertension

11. Healthy fetus (for pregnant women)

12. Prevent hypertension

13. Treat wounds so they don't get infected

14. Improve mood

15. Improve brain function

16. Maintain the strength of the body's immune system

17. Maintain strong bones, joints and muscles

18. Overcoming oily skin

19. Overcoming various facial skin problems such as acne and blackheads

20. Moisturizing and brightening the skin

How To Get The Benefits Of Eating Tomatoes

You can include tomatoes in your diet. Either fresh, dry, or as sauces and pastes. Add fresh tomatoes to omelettes and salads.

Tomatoes are generally well tolerated. Although tomato allergies are rare, individuals who are allergic to grass pollen are more likely to be allergic to tomatoes. This condition is called pollen food allergy syndrome or oral allergy syndrome. People with a latex allergy may also experience cross-reactivity to tomatoes.

Tomatoes can be eaten raw as a juice drink or eaten straight. Even if cooked, it can increase lycopene levels. But make sure not to cook it too long, because the nutrients in the tomatoes can be dissolved. The right way to process it, can be boiled or baked. But add the tomatoes to clear cooked dishes, so it doesn't take too long.

 

This article has been published on merdeka.com Monday, 29 March 2021 08:48 Reporter: Kurnia Azizah

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

---