7 Health benefits of tomatoes

Tomato is a reddish and fleshy fruit that is found in almost all parts of the world. I has many nutritional benefits especially when eaten raw or half cooked. here are some of the health benefits of tomato:

1 Reduces the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases

Tomato contains lycopene, which had been found to help in reducing the incidence of cardiovascular diseases and heart diseases such as hypertension and stroke. It also contains potassium which is an important element that helps in reducing our blood pressure.

2 Tomatoes are good for the skin

Tomato contains nutrients and compounds that enhance the beauty of our skin such as Vitamin C. The best way to take care of your skin is to eat fruits that promote the health of our skin and tomato is one of these fruits.

Raw tomato can also be used as a face scrub to peel off dead cells and smoothen our face.

3 Good for bone health

The antioxidants found in tomato such as lycopene has been linked to healthy bones. Tomato also contains calcium and vitamin K, which help in strengthening our bones.

4 prevention against cancers

Some studies have showed that tomato is able to reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer, lung cancer and breast cancers.

The antioxidants found in tomato are responsible for this anti-cancer benefits. Lycopene in particular has been associated with a reduced risk of developing prostate cancer.

5 reducing the risk of developing obesity

The risk of developing obesity was found to be lower in people who included tomato in their diet. This has been attributed to the nutrients that are found in tomato.

6 Blood pressure regulation

In order to lower our blood pressure, it is recommended that we avoid sodium.  Eating foods that have potassium can bring down our blood pressure and tomato contains potassium.

7 Good for pregnant women

Tomato is good for pregnant women because it contains folic acid. Folic acid helps to prevent neural tube defect in infants.

Sources:
Greenmed info: Tomatoes better than a pill for heart disease

Antioxidant and cytotoxic activities investigation of tomato seed extracts.

Tommonaro G, Caporale A, De Martino L, Popolo A, De Prisco R, Nicolaus B, Abbamondi GR, Saturnino C.Nat Prod Res. 2014; 28(10):764-8. Epub 2014 Jan 31

Barone D., Cito L. et al., :Antitumoral potential, antioxidant activity and carotenoid content of two Southern Italy tomatocultivars extracts: San Marzano and Corbarino