The tomato, scientifically called Slanum lycopersicum, is an edible fruit native to Mexico. Nowadays, tomatoes are widely cultivated all around the world and consumed in diverse ways like raw or being added into salads, drinks, etc.
More than a fruit, tomatoes bring along various incredible health benefits such as improving vision, digestive system, blood circulation, and kidney. Besides, the fruit also helps to slow down the aging process, reduce the inflammation in several body parts and prevent severe diseases like cancer and heart or cardiovascular diseases. Plus, the tomato provides us with an array of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, which are used to nurture the blood, organs and overall health.
All these benefits are derived from a great profile of nutrients and vitamins in the tomato. Specifically, the fruit possesses an impressive amount of vitamin A, C, K, BC, along with manganese, potassium, copper, folate. Furthermore, the quantity of fiber and protein as well as other organic compounds found in tomatoes is considerably large.
Here are top 10 health benefits of tomatoes.
1. Cancer prevention
Being abundant in antioxidants, especially lycopene, tomatoes are powerful to deal with free damaging radicals, which eventually causes cancer. This substance has been proven to be highly effective in inhibiting various types of cancer, especially prostate, stomach, cervical cancer, etc.
2. The effect of cigarette smoke
Another health benefit of tomatoes is countering the effect of cigarette smoke. It is confirmed that nitrosamines are a harmful substance leading to cancer, which is produced inside the body and found largely in cigarette. However, this can be reduced thanks to two essential substances in tomatoes: coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid. At the same time, vitamin A in the fruit can actively inhibit the effect of carcinogens like nitrosamines to keep the lung cancer at bay.
3. Nutrient source
Besides antioxidants, tomatoes are enriched with other nutrients, including vitamin C, A, K potassium, iron etc. This is particularly good for human health as vitamin C is one of essential substances for the body. This natural antioxidant also acts to defend against free damaging radicals, reducing the risk of developing cancer. Moreover, the rich of potassium in tomatoes helps with nerve health meanwhile iron contributes to the healthy blood.
By consuming tomatoes regularly, you are making use of the great nutrient source of tomatoes to benefit your health.
4. Skin health
For ages, tomatoes have been seen as a miracle treatment for not only skin but also teeth, hair, etc. The nutrients in the fruit can be absorbed both internally and externally to nurture the skin cells and make them healthier. The topical application of tomato juice can treat the severe burns. You can consume this fruit daily to protect your skin against negative effect of UV and slow down the aging process. This can be the most preferable health benefit women can get from tomatoes.
5. Cholesterol levels
By consuming tomatoes regularly, the levels of LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides will be gradually reduced. This is thanks to the lycopene in the fruit, which inhibits serum lipid oxidation, thus lower the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
6. Hypertension
The condition of hypertension, also known as high blood pressure, will be significantly improved thanks to the rich content of potassium in tomatoes. In detail, this valuable substance in the fruit has the ability to lower the tension in arteries and blood vessels. As a result, the circulation will be better, reducing the stress on the heart.
7. Urinary
Tomatoes are highly effective in preventing urinary tract infection, and even bladder cancer. This benefit comes from the rich content of water in tomatoes, which can boost urination and flush out the toxins in the body.
8. Eye health
Vitamin A has been well known as a beneficial substance for vision. It not only improves the eye health but also protects against night-blindness and macular degeneration. Also, this nutrient can acts as an antioxidant to reduce the negative effect of free radicals. To supply enough vitamin A to the body, make use of tomatoes as an inevitable part of your diet.
9. Digestive health
For those who are suffering from digestive problems, tomatoes can be an ideal remedy to deal with it. Specifically, this fruit contains an array of nutrients that are used to prevent constipation and diarrhea. Plus, the fibers content in tomatoes helps to sooth the stomach as well as ease the symptoms of constipation. When your overall digestive system is improved, the chance getting colorectal cancer will be also decreased.
10. Gallstones
Another benefit you can get from tomatoes is with the condition of gallbladder diseases, especially gallstones. This effect of tomatoes has been proven in various studies. The best ways to make use of tomatoes is consuming the fruit daily to get enough vitamins and minerals. Besides, the antioxidants properties of the fruits are attributed to processed foods like ketchup so that you can also use this kind of product instead.
