Tomatoes are loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. The fruit is a highly versatile health product and due to their equally versatile preparation options, there's really no reason to neglect the tomato as part of a healthy diet.
One of the most well-known tomato eating benefit is its' Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes
Anti-oxidant
Tomatoes contain a lot of vitamins A and C, mostly because of beta-carotene, and these vitamins act as an anti-oxidant, working to neutralize dangerous free radicals in the blood stream.
Vision
Because of all that vitamin A, tomatoes are also an excellent food to help improve your vision. This also means tomatoes can help your eyes be better about night blindness.
Heart troubles
Due to potassium and vitamin B, tomatoes help to lower blood pressure and to lower high cholesterol levels. This, in turn, could help prevent strokes, heart attack and other potentially life-threatening heart problems.
Skin care
Because of high amounts of lycopene, a substance found in many of the more expensive over-the-counter facial cleansers, tomatoes are great for skin care.
Prostate Cancer
All colorful vegetables contain antioxidants -- special compounds that prevent cancerous cells from forming. Tomatoes are rich in a unique antioxidant known as lycopene. Lycopene in tomatoes greatly reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer, reports the January 2002 "Journal of the National Cancer Institute." Regular consumption of tomatoes and tomato products such as pasta sauce was associated with a 15 percent reduction in prostate cancer risk, according to healthfood-guide.com.
Weight Control
Tomatoes and other fresh vegetables are naturally low-calorie choices that can assist in weight loss. Tomatoes are also rich in dietary fiber. Dietary fiber can help keep appetite under wraps while dieting.
Osteoporosis
Osteoporosis is a common medical condition in older people that results in a significantly increased risk of bone fracture and disability. In addition to eating a calcium and vitamin D-rich diet, tomatoes may aid in strong bones, November 2010's "American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine" states. Lycopene and other antioxidants in tomatoes may shield bones from the damage that can contribute to low bone mass.
Blood purification
Tomatoes aid in purification of blood and help in improving skin color and texture.
Immunity
Vitamin C is an important part of a healthy immune system. Adults require 75 mg of vitamin C per day to optimize their immune system and overall health, the Office of Dietary Supplements reports. A single 1-cup serving of chopped tomatoes contains more than 25 g of vitamin C, the U.S. Department of Agriculture states.
Bones
Tomatoes have a fair amount of vitamin K and calcium, both of which help to strengthen and possibly repair in minor ways bones and bone tissue.