Seeing Red May Be Good for Health
By Tom Herrin
Many people strive to have a lot of color in their diets. Greens and yellows are always something to strive for. They contain particular things that have very specific roles when it comes to doing something positive for health. Purple and blue are colors that may be recognizable for their certain properties. When it comes to red, tomatoes may be the best known of the kinds of produce that sport that color. They have a large variety of uses and can be beneficial either raw or cooked and still retain many of their healthy properties. Their benefits are wide-ranging.
They May Work Against the Effects of Smoking
Tomatoes contain both coumaric and chlorogenic acids which are known to fight against nitrosamines. These are the primary carcinogens that are found in cigarettes. Vitamin C and lycopene are also present and both have some ability to fight cancers as well. While this should not be considered as a reason to take up, or keep, smoking, it may help those who are already addicted to this dangerous substance.
They May Play a Role in Skincare
Many people are familiar with tomato juice and its use against sunburn, though they may have thought was just a myth. Eating them has shown promise in protecting against some UV-related problems. They are used in some products that are made for anti-aging and some that help serve as antiperspirants. People may not want to cover themselves with the juice, but it really is a diverse food.
They Can Liven Up Meals
Whether they are cooked or raw, tomatoes can play an important part in lots of dishes. We eat them on a pretty regular basis. I enjoy them in some kinds of beans. I also like them in chili. We consume quite a bit of salsa, especially with tortilla chips. Once they have been made into ketchup, I eat them on almost anything. As a child, I always put it on my gravy. A lot of people eat it on eggs. I also enjoy it on meats and a few other dishes. It would be pretty difficult to imagine eating spaghetti without some kind of sauce made from tomatoes. If you want to put a little extra flavor on your table that can improve health as well, serve tomatoes.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Las Vegas, Nev.