HEALTH BENEFITS OF TOMATOES

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TOMATOES

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicicum), is an edible fruit of the plant solanum lycopersiscum, commonly known as tomato plant. Tomato plant belong to the nightshade family, solanaceae. Tomato is consumed across the whole world in diverse ways, such as sauces, tomato drinks, an ingredient in many dishes, salad, salsa, ketchup, they are also key ingredient in pizza, while some people consume it raw.

Tomatoes are consider a fruit or a vegetable because of it use, nutritional value and health benefits. Tomatoes are dicots plant and can be grown and produce all year round in a greenhouse system of production.

Tomatoes has been genetically modified using genetic engineering. 

The first commercially available genetically modified tomato was a variety of tomato named Flavr savr, it was engineered to have a longer shelf life than the other varieties of tomatoes. Some other varieties were also modified to increase their resistance to pest and environmental stress, while some are modified to increase or improve their health benefit to provide better nutrition.

The highest producer of tomato in the world is china followed by India, United State and turkey respectively. Tomato contain some essential nutrients such as Lycopene, vitamin C, potassium folate, vitamin K etc.

Lycopene  that is present in tomato makes tomato one of the most potent anti-oxidant containing fruit. Lycopene is an important dietary anti-oxidant which serve as defensive mechanism against oxidative of low density lipoproteins, which carry cholesterol into the blood stream which may result to atherosclerosis (The clogging or hardening of arteries and blood vessels).

Tomato can also be referred to as cancer fighting food because of phytonutrient known as lycopene which is commonly found in tomatoes, but also present in some common fruit and vegetables. Lycopene is responsible for the red color of tomato, although not all red fruits and vegetables contain this anti-oxidant. 

Lycopene is very important especially in a world where processed food has eliminated most of what gives our body the ability to prevent and fight against diseases. Lycopene reduce the risk of several cancers such as cervical, throat, mouth, stomach and esophagus. They are very good source of chromium that help maintain blood sugar levels and are very healthy source of nutrition for diabetics and weight conscious individuals.

Not only the tomato taste great but also keep the skin healthy. 

It is necessary to increase the intake of tomatoes as they are rich in lycopene, which is an anti-oxidant that works as a sun screen from within. These anti-oxidant also make tomato an anti-aging product as they help in fighting cellular damage.

The acidity in tomatoes helps in reducing and clearing up your acne such as red pimples. Vitamin A are commonly found in a lot of acne medicines and tomato is rich in Vitamin A.

Eye health: Tomato are rich in lycopene, lutein, and beta carotene, these are powerful anti-oxidants that have been shown to protect eyes against light-induced damage.

Tomatoes contain important vitamin like Vitamin A, B, C, E and K which are excellent stimulants for healthy hair.

This vegetable is highly recommended to fight osteoporosis and also use in fractures treatment because of its vitamin K content.

Increase your intake of tomatoes to live a healthy life.

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