Have you ever wondered what are the health benefits of different food items are, on your body and mind? Well, we have. Other than the mouth-watering sweet and tangy flavor of the fruit, tomatoes are known to be a rich source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K; they are originated from southern and Central America and belong to the nightshade family.
Most commonly seen in red color this overwhelmingly beneficial fruit is available in many other colors. India is the largest producer of this fruit, usually cooked and used here as a vegetable and in curries.
10 Surprising Health Benefits of Tomato
Immunity
Tomato contains an antioxidant called, Lycopene which protects you against molecules known as free radicals that might damage your cells and have severe effects on your immune system if their levels in the body become too high. Tomato and other such food items that are rich in lycopene reduce the threat of developing cancerous cells in the lungs, stomach, and prostate, in turn boosting your immunity. Certain researchers claim that it can also prevent diseases in the colon, cervix, throat, mouth, etc.
Heart
The antioxidant, lycopene also helps in reducing and controlling the levels of LDL, or “bad” cholesterol in your body, and lowering the blood pressure, as a result decreasing the vulnerability to heart diseases. In addition, nutrients like vitamin B and E and antioxidants called flavonoids increase the healthiness of your heart.
Eyesight
Lutein and zeaxanthin are substances present in tomatoes that help in protecting your eyes from the blue light emission from electronics like smartphones and computers, prevent eye tiredness and relieve headaches caused by excess strain on the eyes. A few researchers also claim that these substances make you less prone to the prime cause of blindness in the United States; age-related macular degeneration.
Restore damage from smoking
Tomatoes contain coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid that assist in preventing the body from the severe damages caused by cigarette smoking, including damages caused to passive smokers.
Lungs
Studies prove and claim that tomatoes can be helpful for asthma patients and can reduce the chances of having emphysema (a health condition in which your air sacs gradually get damaged). These benefits may come from the fact that tomatoes contain antioxidants like lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin, and others which protect the body against the effects of tobacco ingestion which is one of the main causes of emphysema.
Bones
Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin K and Calcium the two nutrients that facilitate bone calcification. As per the United States Department of Agriculture, 100 grams of tomatoes contains at least 110 mg of calcium and 6mcg of vitamin K.
Digestion
Tomatoes can facilitate in improving the health of your digestive system as well as the liver. They are packed with fiber which helps in relieving stomach conditions like constipation.
Burns fat
Tomatoes help in the creation of Carnitine in the body, the amino acid which is known to increase the fat-burning ability of your body at least up to 30% according to studies for the same.
Skin
Tomatoes are one of the food items with a high amount of lycopene and other plant compounds that can protect the skin from sunburns not from the outside but by improving your cells inside the body.
Blood
Increasing the intake and amount of tomatoes in your diet can reduce the chances of having a stroke (a condition in which the blood flow to the brain gets cut off). Also, researches and studies say that the consumption of tomatoes can help in lowering the cholesterol levels in the body and prevent clotting of blood.
Conclusion
Tomatoes are not only tasty but they have so many health benefits, as mentioned above. You must include tomatoes in your everyday food list.
