Calories, Raw vs. Cooked, 5 Benefits

Tomatoes also contain about 116 g of water plus a variety of electrolyte nutrients, which can help you stay hydrated.

Benefits and Reasons of Eating Tomatoes

Tomatoes offer many health benefits due to the vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and bioactive compounds they contain. Bioactive compounds include lycopene, quercetin, resveratrol and luteolin.

cardiovascular disease

Some minerals abundant in tomatoes can prevent heart diseases by regulating blood pressure, blood clotting and muscle contraction. Antioxidants and small molecules called phenolic compounds, such as quercetin and kaempferol, may 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 consuming fruits and vegetables containing high antioxidants, such as tomatoes, prevents the growth of cancer cells.

Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, may help treat or reduce the risk of various types of cancer, including:

Phytosterols in tomatoes may also help prevent or treat colon, prostate and breast cancers. Eating large amounts of tomatoes may protect against digestive cancers. One study found that 60% of colon and rectal cancer patients improved after eating large amounts of tomatoes.

Neurodegenerative Disease

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

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

Diabetes

Components of tomatoes such as antioxidants, dietary fiber, carotenoids and phenolic compounds are believed to help against diabetes:

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

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 sugar, protects the liver, and reduces common diabetes symptoms such as joint pain, irritation, and lethargy. kaempferol 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 contain high levels of carotenoids. Research shows it may help prevent:

Raw and Cooked Tomatoes: Which is More Nutritious?

There’s no clear winner when it comes to whether raw or cooked tomatoes are better for you. Cooking them can change the nutrients your body can absorb and use.

Because there are so many types and cooking methods of tomatoes, it is difficult to know whether Roma tomatoes, for example, are more beneficial when eaten raw, steamed, or made into a sauce. It is good to eat them in a variety of ways.

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

Tomato Varieties

Common types of tomatoes include:

• cherry tomato: It has a mild flavor and is suitable for home canning, contains Roma tomatoes.
• Rutgers: Featuring a rich, full-bodied flavor, heirloom tomatoes that are a gardener favorite
• Bush’s first female hybrid: Their slightly acidic taste makes them popular in sauces.
• beef steak: Tomatoes, a popular food item, are soft and sweet.
• cherry tomatoes: Small, round, sweet tomatoes (golden nugget tomatoes) often eaten in salads.
• grape tomatoes: A variety of patio plum tomato that is small and oval in shape, with balanced flavor.

Before growing your tomatoes, research the varieties you like that are suitable for your climate.

Pesticides, Local Tomatoes, and the Organic Seal

If you’re concerned about pesticides and other chemicals in your tomatoes, look for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) organic seal. This means the agency certifies that the product was grown on soil that had no banned substances applied for at least three years before harvest.

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

Summary

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

The nutritional profile varies depending on the type of tomato, whether it is raw or cooked, and how it is cooked. There is a lot to learn in this area, so experts recommend consuming tomatoes in a variety of ways. Many types of tomatoes can be purchased or grown, each with unique characteristics.

Buying certified organic tomatoes can guarantee that they are grown and processed in a way that minimizes their exposure to harmful chemicals.