Health Benefits of Tomatoes
Tomato contains a large amount of lycopene which is a carotenoid and an antioxidant that is highly effective in scavenging cancer-causing free radicals. This benefit can even be obtained from heat-processed tomato products like ketchup. The lycopene in tomatoes defends against cancer and has been shown to be effective in fighting prostate cancer, according to a study led by Dr. Edward Giovannucci of the Harvard School of Public Health.
A single tomato can provide about 40% of the daily vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which prevents free radicals from damaging the body’s systems. It also contains abundant vitamin A and potassium, as well as iron. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining nerve health and iron is essential for maintaining normal blood circulation. Vitamin K, which is essential for blood clotting and controlling bleeding, is also abundant in tomatoes.
The lycopene in tomatoes prevents serum lipid oxidation, thus exerting a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. A regular consumption of tomatoes or tomato juice decreases the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, as per the British Journal of Nutrition. These lipids are the key culprits in cardiovascular diseases and lead to the deposition of fats in the blood vessels.
The coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, in tomatoes, fight against nitrosamines, which are the main carcinogens found in cigarettes. The presence of vitamin A in high quantities has been shown to reduce the effects of carcinogens. Furthermore, a study by Dr. Sanjiv Agarwal, Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Toronto, Canada, shows that lycopene, which imparts tomatoes its red color, may also be helpful in preventing cancer.
Vitamin A, present in tomatoes, aids in improving vision and preventing night-blindness and macular degeneration. Vitamin A is a powerful antioxidant that can be formed from an excess of beta-carotene in the body. A lot of vision problems occur due to the negative effects of free radicals and vitamin A, being a powerful antioxidant, can help prevent them.
The copyright belongs to Meenakshi Nagdeve.
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