Tomatoes Have Unexpected Health Benefits

Tomatoes have many nutrients, including the antioxidant lycopene. They also contain folate, vitamin C and potassium.

Studies show that people with higher blood levels of lycopene have lower rates of heart disease. Lycopene may also protect against emphysema and make it easier to breathe.

Tomatoes are rich in an essential nutrient called folic acid, or vitamin B9. Folate helps prevent neural tube defects in babies. It's important to get enough folic acid during pregnancy.

They May Prevent Cancer

Tomatoes are a rich source of lycopene and other antioxidants that prevent cancer by neutralizing free radicals, which may mutate DNA and lead to cancer cells. One study found that men who ate the most tomatoes and tomato- based products had lower prostate cancer rates than those who ate the least of them. Lycopene, along with vitamins A and C, can also help fight other cancers, such as ovarian and pancreatic.

Tomatoes contain vitamin C, which helps fight free radicals that may cause gum disease. It also helps lower blood pressure and improve heart health by keeping LDL cholesterol levels down. Try Fildena 100 and Fildena 120 for improved physical health in men. Tomatoes are high in fiber, which can help you avoid constipation.

Tomatoes are one of the few foods that are healthier cooked than raw. This is because the heat releases the lycopene, which is easier for your body to absorb. In addition to lycopene, tomatoes are rich in carotenoids, including lutein and zeaxanthin. These antioxidants may protect against eye diseases such as glaucoma and macular degeneration. They also reduce the risk of stroke by helping blood clot properly.

They May Help Fight Emphysema

Aside from being one of the five basic tastes along with sweet, salty, sour and bitter, tomatoes have a special savory taste, thanks to the plant’s lycopene content. Lycopene has been shown to protect against lung cancer and heart disease, and may also aid in the prevention of a chronic smokers’ disease called emphysema.

In a new study in which mice were exposed to tobacco smoke, Japanese researchers found that mixing diluted tomato juice into the animals’ drinking water prevented them from developing emphysema. Emphysema is a progressive disease that causes the lungs to lose their elasticity, making it difficult for sufferers to breathe. The lycopene in the tomato juice prevented the tobacco smoke’s oxidant molecules from damaging the animals’ lungs.

Another recent study cited in the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine found that adults who consumed at least two glasses of tomatoes or other fruit- vegetables daily experienced a slower rate of natural decline in lung function over a 10 -year period. That study attributed the lower rate of decline to the lycopene in the fruits and vegetables consumed.

They May Help Prevent Stroke

Tomatoes are a major source of the antioxidant lycopene, which may help prevent strokes. A recent study found that men with the highest blood levels of lycopene, which comes from tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables such as pink grapefruit, watermelon and papaya, had a 59% lower risk for stroke than those with the lowest lycopene levels.

The researchers speculate that lycopene's ability to break down clots and reduce inflammation in the body may have something to do with the stroke reduction, but more research is needed. The study was published in Neurology and followed 1,031 middle-aged Finnish men for 12 years.

The tomato is a fruit that was once controversially classified as a vegetable because it's closely related to the deadly nightshade plants belladonna and solanine. But now scientists agree that it is a healthy part of a well -rounded diet and have even linked it to reduced risks for cancer and heart disease. Tomatoes are one of the best sources of the nutrient lutein, which, along with zeaxanthin, protects your eyes against macular degeneration and cataracts.

They May Help Fight Diabetes

Diabetes is a condition that may need to be managed with strict diet and regular check-ups. A diabetic’s diet should prioritise foods that are low in glycemic index and high in fibre. Tomatoes are one such fruit/vegetable that should find its place in the diabetic’s diet. This tangy delight is rich in Lycopene, Vitamin C and Potassium which makes it an ideal choice for diabetics.

Tomatoes have a low glycemic index that helps in controlling sugar levels. They are also packed with dietary fibres that help in keeping you full for a long time and curb odd hunger cravings. They also help in slow release of sugar into the bloodstream, preventing sudden spikes in blood glucose.

You can include tomatoes in your daily diet by adding them to a variety of meals such as salads, sandwiches and curries. You can even add it to your favourite drinks such as tomato juice and cold soups. You can also eat them raw by topping your omelettes with tomatoes and including them in breakfast tacos and burritos.

They May Help Fight Eye Disease

Tomatoes are a great source of the antioxidant lycopene, which helps treat inflammation. They are a good addition to your diet to help fight redness in the skin and to keep your eyes healthy. Try eating whole cherry tomatoes or mixing some into a whole wheat sandwich for a tasty and healthy snack.

Studies show that tomatoes and other foods containing the antioxidants lutein and zeaxanthin may protect your eyes against age-related macular degeneration, which is the leading cause of blindness in people over 50. These nutrients are also found in other brightly colored fruits and vegetables, such as watermelon, pink grapefruit, apricots, spinach and squash.

A high intake of tomatoes, along with potassium and low sodium levels, may reduce your risk for heart disease. This is because the high-potassium diet helps balance out the effects of salt on the body. Tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C, which is essential for a healthy immune system and for promoting collagen production in the body.

Tomatoes also provide folate, a nutrient that is important for pregnant women to prevent neural tube defects in infants. Folate also aids in the absorption of iron, another nutrient that is critical during pregnancy.

They May Help Fight Heart Disease

Tomatoes, or tomato-based products, are rich in lycopene (which gives tomatoes their red color) and may help prevent heart disease. They also contain kaempferol, another phytochemical that has anti-inflammatory properties. In one study, participants who consumed a diet high in tomato products (such as ketchup and tomatoes) had lower cholesterol and LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels than those who didn't eat as many tomatoes. The lycopene in tomatoes also reduces the presence of oxidized LDL, which can build up on artery walls and increase your risk for heart disease and stroke.

Tomatoes also provide a good source of potassium, niacin and folate, which all contribute to your cardiovascular health. Niacin helps lower elevated blood cholesterol and folate reduces levels of homocysteine, a chemical associated with an increased risk for heart disease.

Tomatoes are a great addition to salads and sandwiches, or try them stuffed with cheese or other fillings, grilled or roasted, or in soup, sauce and salsa. Just be sure to brush your teeth after eating tomatoes because their acid can damage tooth enamel.

They May Help Fight Skin Disease

Tomatoes are a rich source of the carotenoid lycopene. It is a powerful antioxidant that helps reduce cell damage. Lycopene is also known to help prevent several forms of cancer, including lung cancer and prostate cancer. It may also help protect against emphysema, a condition that damages the air sacs in the lungs. The lycopene in tomatoes also helps prevent heart disease and eye diseases, such as macular degeneration.

Tomato juice acts as an astringent that helps to remove excess sebum from the skin, thereby reducing the chances of blackheads and whiteheads. Tomatoes also have pore-shrinking properties, helping to keep your skin looking fresh and young.

The vitamin A in tomatoes is important for maintaining healthy eyes. A deficiency of this nutrient can lead to blindness. The lycopene in tomatoes can help prevent this deficiency by countering free radicals that would otherwise affect the eyes.

Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin C. This nutrient is needed for a healthy immune system and to prevent certain cancers, such as mouth ulcers. It is also an essential nutrient for pregnant women.

They May Help Fight Asthma

Whether they're a fruit or vegetable, tomatoes are important for your health. They contain vitamin C, folate, vitamins A and E, flavonoids, beta-carotene and magnesium. A diet rich in these nutrients can help prevent asthma symptoms.

A recent study found that women who ate a lot of leafy vegetables, tomatoes and carrots had less asthma. This may be because these foods are rich in lycopene, which reduces the inflammation that can trigger asthma.

Lycopene can also reduce lung ageing and improve your immune system. Eating at least two servings of tomato-based foods a day can give you the lycopene you need to protect your lungs from asthma attacks. However, this dietary measure shouldn't take the place of proper medical treatment for your asthma symptoms. Contact our pulmonologists at Wockhardt Hospitals, Mira Road to set up an appointment today. We can create a treatment plan that's right for you.