calories, Raw vs. Cooked, 5 Benefits

Tomatoes also contain about 116 g of water as well as some electrolyte nutrients, which can help keep you hydrated.

Benefits and Reasons to Eat Tomatoes

Tomatoes offer numerous health benefits due to their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and bioactive compounds. Bioactive compounds include lycopene, quercetin, resveratrol, and luteolin.

Cardiovascular Disease

Several minerals abundant in tomatoes may prevent heart disease by controlling blood pressure, blood clotting and muscle contraction. Antioxidants and small molecules called phenolic compounds, such as quercetin and kaempferol, can also prevent cardiovascular damage and high blood pressure (hypertension). The dietary fiber content of tomatoes is also beneficial for heart health.

Cancer

Research shows that regularly eating high-antioxidant fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, prevents the growth of cancer cells.

Lycopene, an antioxidant in tomatoes, can help treat or reduce the risk of several types of cancer, including:

Phytosterols in tomatoes may help prevent or treat colon, prostate and breast cancer. If you eat a large number of tomatoes it is possible to protect against cancers of the digestive system. In one study, 60% of colon and rectal cancer patients improved after eating high amounts of tomatoes.

Neurodegenerative disease

Antioxidants in tomatoes can protect against neurodegenerative diseases by preventing the death of brain cells (neurons). Therefore, tomatoes can delay the development or progression of diseases such as:

• Alzheimer’s disease (a brain disorder that affects the ability to think and remember)
• Parkinson’s disease (a neurological disorder characterized by tremors)
• Cerebral ischaemia (inadequate blood flow to the brain)

Diabetes

The components of the tomato, such as antioxidants, dietary fiber, carotenoids, and phenolic compounds are believed to help against diabetes, including:

Lycopene is believed to increase the levels of insulin in your blood, which is a hormone that lowers blood sugar. It also reduces the activity of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), which can indicate diabetes and complications of diabetes.

Lycopene may also protect against kidney damage (diabetic nephropathy) by improving kidney function. In people with diabetes who ovulate, lycopene may also protect the ovaries.

Quercetin helps regulate blood sugars, protects the liver, and reduces common symptoms of diabetes such as joint pain, irritation and numbness. Camperol it improves insulin signaling and reduces inflammatory lesions in liver cells.

Eye Disease

Carrots have long been associated with good eye health due to their high levels of carotenoids. Tomatoes also have high levels of carotenoids. Research shows they can help prevent:

Raw Tomatoes vs. Cooked: What’s More Nutritious?

There is no clear winner as to whether raw or cooked tomatoes are better for you. Cooking them can change the nutritional elements available to your body to absorb and use.

Since there are many types and cooking methods for tomatoes, it is difficult to know if Roma tomatoes have more benefits, for example, when eaten raw, steamed, or boiled down in a sauce. They are good to eat in different ways.

Also, drink tomato juice. It has twice as many antioxidants as a raw or cooked tomato daily and may also help with inflammation. Tomato juice concentrate is rich in potassium (461 mg), which may protect your heart.

Varieties of Tomatoes

The common types of tomatoes are:

• Plum tomatoes: Mild flavor and good for home canning, includes Roma tomatoes
• Routers: Rich flavor and full-bodied, favorite with gardeners, includes heirloom tomatoes
• Early girl hybrid bush: A slightly acidic taste makes them popular in sauces
• Beef steak: A common staple, tomatoes are mild and sweet-tasting
• Cherry tomatoes: Small, round, sweet tomatoes often eaten in salads (gold nugget tomatoes)
• Grape tomatoes: Small and oval-shaped, a type of patio plum tomato with a well-balanced flavor

Before growing your tomatoes, research the varieties you like best for your climate.

Pesticides, Local Tomatoes, and Organic Seal

If you are concerned about pesticides and other chemicals on your tomatoes, look for the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal. This means that the agency has certified that the product was grown in the soil without the application of any prohibited substances for at least three years prior to harvest.

Most synthetic fertilizers and pesticides are on the banned list. Other synthetic products must be approved based on their effects on your health and the environment. Also, the organic seal means that the food is not genetically modified.

Summary

Tomatoes are a good source of nutrients and compounds that benefit your health. Research suggests that they can help prevent and/or treat many illnesses, including heart disease, cancer, diabetes, neurodegenerative diseases, and eye diseases that can impair vision.

The nutritional profile varies according to the type of tomato, whether it is raw or cooked, and how it is cooked. There is still a lot to learn in this area, so experts recommend eating tomatoes in different ways. There are many varieties of tomatoes available to buy or grow, each with unique properties.

If you buy certified organic tomatoes, you can be sure that they have been grown and handled to minimize their exposure to harmful chemicals.