General considerations on the benefits of tomatoes

Brazil corresponds to a country that stands out in the consumption and production of tomatoes. Thus, this scenario favors the insertion of the fruit in different recipes, while it can be seen in sauces, salads, fillings and even in the form of juice. Thus, it is worth noting that because of the frequent consumption of tomatoes several benefits tend to be added to the body.

At this point, it should be said that lycopene, the substance responsible for the reddish color of the fruit, corresponds to an antioxidant essential in maintaining possible damage to cells caused by free radicals, as well as to prevent them, being strongly present in tomatoes.

Therefore, when it is consumed raw, the properties contained in the vitamins can be used, however, when it is cooked the lycopene can be better used, so that recipes that use the tomato heating should be more valued. Based on these data, check the information highlighted below to recognize the advantages of adopting tomato consumption.

The nutritional profile of tomatoes

Being aware of the nutritional profile of tomatoes is of paramount importance to recognize what are the main benefits acquired by those who consume this food. Therefore, to understand more about the main nutrients contained in the fruit, such as lycopene, follow the information below.

Vitamins contained in tomatoes

Many of the positive aspects that can be obtained through the consumption of tomatoes are due to the vitamins presented by the food. Thus, we can mention the presence of vitamin C, which is considered an important nutrient that acts strongly in the maintenance of collagen rates.

In addition, it is worth noting the connection of tomato with vitamin K1, which is responsible for the activation of coagulation and with the B vitamins, which play the role of precursors of metabolic processes.

Mineral salts

Tomatoes are a source of important minerals, a factor that contributes to the consumption of the fruit. Thus, the main ones are phosphorus, which works on the performance of bones and teeth and muscle contraction; and iron, which helps fight anemia and transport oxygen throughout the body.

Other important mineral salts existing in tomatoes are potassium and magnesium. Due to this, benefits such as controlling and preventing high blood pressure and diabetes, as well as relieving stress and reducing the risk of heart disease are added.

Lycopene

Lycopene is an antioxidant that is highly valued by the body and is found in tomatoes. It is capable of protecting cells from the harmful effects of excess free radicals, thus reducing the possibility of the individual acquiring chronic diseases such as cancer.

Regarding the amount of lycopene in tomatoes, it tends to follow the red color of the fruit and the temperature level of the fruit. This situation makes you give preference to tomatoes that are redder and cooked in order to take advantage of this property.

The main health benefits of tomatoes

Considering that the tomato has the presence of vitamin K, which is an essential nutrient for strengthening bones by increasing the fixation of calcium in bone mass, the tomato becomes an important ally in the life of those who want more health to bone metabolism.

In addition, because the fruit presents calcium and potassium, more benefits to the bones are added, as an example, there is the reduction of the risk that problems such as osteoporosis are developed.

Acts in the fight against cardiovascular problems

The tomato brings together benefits that contribute to the fight against cardiovascular problems, being highly recommended to maintain good heart health. In this sense, due to the presence of potassium, the food helps reduce the risk of problems such as high blood pressure and strokes.

Due to vitamin C and lycopene, cholesterol levels tend to be controlled, which prevents heart disease. In this way, these two powerful antioxidants act to promote improvements in blood oxygen transport and blood flow.

Protects against sun damage

Being very rich in lycopene, tomatoes can confer sun protection to the skin, preventing the appearance of damage associated with radiation from the sun.

As a justification for this, the antioxidant makes the skin less sensitive to the exposure it may receive to ultraviolet rays. Therefore, the consumption of tomatoes provides more security in this regard, preventing the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines on the face.

Improves bone health

Among the main benefits of tomatoes, we can mention the positive effects on bone health. Thus, this is due to the presence of vitamin K, since it performs the function of giving more strength to bones by fixing the existing calcium in bone mass.

Another point is that minerals such as potassium and calcium are also contemplated by the fruit, so that the risk of acquiring diseases like osteoporosis is minimized by those who consume it.

Reduces blood sugar levels

The frequent consumption of tomatoes is recommended for those who seek to reduce the levels of sugar in the blood, being a key food in the diet of diabetics by performing an important role in glycemic control.

In this sense, besides the fruit having low calories, which is around 18 calories per 100g of raw food, it also has a significant amount of chromium, which corresponds to a mineral with efficiency to intensify the effect of insulin. Therefore, this action has the consequence of controlling blood glucose.

Improves sleep quality

The improvement in sleep quality is also associated with tomatoes, a situation that provides healthy sleep and prevents the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes and other problems. In addition, it also provides more willingness to perform daily activities.

In this sense, it happens because the fruit contains lycopene in good quantity and that is why it has that the substance can turn retinol and activate melatonin, which corresponds to a sleep-inducing hormone, promoting the quality of it.

Reduces chronic pain

Because there are some important compounds present in tomatoes, the food ends up promoting the reduction of chronic pain, a factor that provides more quality of life and well-being for those who consume it.

Therefore, the existence of flavonoids, bioactive compounds with anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antioxidant characteristics, as well as carotenoids, pigments responsible for the coloring of some foods and with antioxidant properties that are beneficial to health, are factors that collaborate to relieve pain and inflammation.

It is beneficial to vision, skin and hair

The positive impacts of tomatoes can be seen in the vision, skin and hair. Thus, this is because the existing vitamin A and C are responsible for improvements in vision and reducing the risk of developing cataracts.

Vitamin A also contributes to the strengthening of hair, as well as providing shine to damaged or dull strands. By reducing enlarged pores, treating minor burns and encouraging the healing of acne and rashes, the benefits to the skin can also be seen.

Regulates blood pressure

If you want to regulate your blood pressure, keep in mind that consuming tomatoes frequently will have a positive impact on this goal. The food provides protection for cardiovascular health, helping to reduce high blood pressure.

This quality is due to the fact that the food prevents bad cholesterol from settling in the walls of the arteries, since this would result in their thickening and in the increase of blood pressure. The existing potassium is also related to this context by regulating the body fluids.

Strengthens the immune system

The lycopene contained in tomatoes helps strengthen the immune system, which ensures more protection to the body in the face of what can put the health of the body at risk. Therefore, another quality of the fruit is to work in disease prevention.

In this regard, lycopene will play the role of preserving cells by giving them protection against aging.

The different ways of consuming tomatoes

The tomato is a very versatile fruit that can be enjoyed in different ways. Based on this, the food can be eaten raw, dried or in sauce, besides being tasted in the form of juice. To understand more about these options, follow the topics highlighted below.

Raw tomato

Popularly enjoyed in salads, raw tomatoes contain high levels of vitamins. To take advantage of the beneficial properties of the fruit in natura, add a little olive oil and preferably consume the food without removing its skin.

However, it is worth noting that the raw form of consumption does not imply loss of vitamin C in the fruit, but causes a reduction in the bioavailability of lycopene to the body. Thus, the metabolism can use the properties of lycopene, but less efficiently.

Dried tomato

Another way to consume tomatoes is associated with its dehydration, leaving the fruit dried. In this method, you can acquire a quantity that corresponds to almost double the vitamin A and triple the lycopene when compared to fresh tomatoes, besides getting more potassium and magnesium.

However, the dehydration process causes the food to lose a considerable amount of water, causing many nutrients diluted in it to be eliminated. The heating process also causes much of the vitamin C to be lost.

Tomato sauce

Being very present in pastas and roasts, tomato sauce is directly linked to many popular dishes and promotes several health benefits to those who consume it.

Thus, the nutrients contained in the sauce confer protection to the heart, more fixation and strengthening to the bones and minimize the chances of premature aging. However, due to the heating that is necessary to the tomato so that it becomes sauce, much of the existing vitamin C ends up being lost.

Tomato juice

Very rich in lycopene, tomato juice may cause strangeness to some, but it has a pleasant taste and can be presented through different recipes, which may include spices and even the juice of lemons and oranges. By providing the feeling of satiety, the juice is still recommended for those seeking to lose weight.

Thus, consuming tomatoes in the form of juice triggers an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and detox effect to the body. The best time to enjoy the drink tends to be in the morning.

Curiosities about tomatoes

Many questions revolve around the tomato, which make reference to the fact of its classification as a fruit and ways of preservation, in addition to those around its possible harm. Thus, the following will be exposed the main curiosities associated with the tomato. To learn more, continue reading.

Are tomatoes a fruit, a fruit or a vegetable?

It is common that there is confusion between the classification of tomatoes, while some people are not entirely sure if it corresponds to a fruit or a vegetable. In this sense, just pay attention to the presence of seeds, given that every fruit or fruit receives such denomination because of them.

Following the same logic, many of the foods that are popularly considered vegetables are fruits, such as eggplant, cucumber, bell pepper and others.

Risks and contraindications

Regarding the risks of tomatoes, they are directly linked to its excessive consumption. Thus, because it contains considerable amounts of oxalate, it may end up triggering the worsening of the risk of developing the formation of calcium oxalate stones in the kidneys.

Based on this, the main contraindication to perform the consumption of tomatoes frequently concerns people with ease in the formation of stones. In addition, those with gastroesophageal reflux disease should avoid the food because of the acidity that can accentuate the feeling of discomfort, burning and reflux.

How to choose and preserve tomatoes

To choose tomatoes, use their color as the main criterion, since red fruits tend to be riper and richer in nutrients, especially lycopene. Also try to avoid dark spots and soft parts.

In order to keep the tomatoes preserved, reserve those that are ripe upside down for about 2 to 3 days, while the green ones should be stored in a wicker or wooden basket to encourage ripening. It is worth remembering that the very ripe ones should be sent to the refrigerator.

Add the fruit in your diet and enjoy all the benefits of tomatoes!

Based on the benefits presented throughout the article, it is evident that the insertion of tomatoes in a diet is able to trigger more protection with respect to the sun's rays, reduce blood sugar rates and give more strength to the bones, in addition to other advantages.

With this, keep in mind that to enjoy the qualities of the tomato it can be served in different recipes, however, be sure to give preference to cooked food, considering that the heating process is responsible for increasing the potential of lycopene, so that the properties of the antioxidant can be better used

Do not forget to emphasize the choice and conservation of tomatoes, knowing that those with a reddish color tend to be more nutritious and keeping them under good conditions will extend their durability.