5 health benefits of tomatoes

Although often thought of as a vegetable, tomatoes are actually a fruit family, along with eggplant, peppers, and potatoes.

It comes in several sizes and types, meat, a large tomato whose shape is reminiscent of a cow's heart. Traditionally red in color, tomatoes can also be yellow, green, purple and orange.

5 health benefits of tomatoes:

1. It can keep your heart healthy

80 grams of tomatoes provide about 5% of an adult's daily potassium requirement.

Eating foods rich in potassium helps the user against stroke and may be associated with a lower rate of heart disease.

Tomatoes also contain lycopene, which gives it a red color. There is a large body of research being done on lycopene and its health properties, including its ability to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease.

2. It protects your eyes

Tomatoes contain a group of phytochemicals called carotenoids, including lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene. These compounds are important for maintaining eye health and may protect against other eye and age-related diseases.

3. It can make the skin healthy

Carotenoids found in plants, including tomatoes, can help prevent damage to humans.

A 2006 study found that after 10 to 12 weeks, increasing dietary carotenoids resulted in decreased values. However, that doesn't mean you can't burn if you eat too many tomatoes - it's still important to follow the recommendations and be safe to avoid damage.

Research suggests that processing and cooking tomatoes can increase their nutritional value, especially their antioxidant properties.

Eating tomatoes with a fat source, such as olive oil, helps us absorb these protective carotenoids. It should also be remembered that most of the carotenoids are found in the skin of the fruit and therefore it is better to eat them whole.

4. It can help blood clotting and wound healing

Tomatoes are a good source of vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and wound healing.

There is growing evidence that vitamin K may also support bone and cardiovascular health.

5. It can help reduce the symptoms of menopause

A 2015 study by the Nutrition Journal found that drinking tomato juice seemed to help improve some menopausal symptoms such as anxiety and heart palpitations.

This study was conducted on 95 women aged 40 to 60 who consumed 200ml of unsalted tomato syrup, twice a day, for eight weeks.

Although this is a small trial, the results are encouraging and warrant further research.

Is tomato safe for everyone?

A compound in the nightshade family of fruits and vegetables, called solanine, is widely believed to make arthritis and joint pain worse.

However, until now, no studies have supported this hypothesis, the evidence being only anecdotal.

Tomato allergy is rare, but if you are allergic, you can other foods in this group like eggplant and potatoes. If you are taking certain medications, such as beta-blockers for high blood pressure, you should follow the advice of your doctor or healthcare professional.