The Hidden Health Benefits of Tomatoes
In our efforts to improve health and wellness, improve health outcomes, and live the bets possible life that we can, there are so many different food that we can turn to. Some of these foods may seem abstracts and hard to find in the grocery store, while other foods that are extremely healthy are right in front our faces and we may not even know it. A common food that is often overlooked yet included in numerous different dishes, sandwiches, salads, and much more.
Tomatoes are loaded with rich antioxidants that are extremely powerful in our efforts to prevent cancer and other chronic diseases. Antioxidants are chemical compounds that play a role in neutralizing naturally occurring particles that enter our body from the environment called free radicals. These particles can effectively change the structure of our cells and alter our cells’ DNA. When this happens, the likelihood for cell proliferation and eventually cancer to develop increases substantially.
The tomato is also loaded with a carotenoid pigment called lycopene. This is what gives tomatoes its deep reddish color. Tomatoes come in all different colors, ranging from green, to yellow, to orange, to all different shades of red. Research is showing that lycopene is most easily absorbed in the orange tomatoes rather than red tomatoes, but there is a need for more research to actually determine what the effects of lycopene are and how absorptive some tomatoes are than others, but the results thus far speak to an extreme health benefit from lycopene.
Tomatoes can even be helpful for our cardiovascular health. Some research has shown a positive correlation between the incorporation of tomato extracts and low density lipid (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood. This reduces blood pressure and prevents the blood vessels from hardening, leading to all types of harmful conditions.
Tomatoes can be put on a sandwich, cut into a salad, incorporated into an omelet, or used in so many different other ways. They are also extremely common in all markets and other food stores, so they are definitely accessible. Experiment with different kinds, such as grape or cherry tomatoes (which are great in salads). Consider tomatoes if you are trying to get an quick and easy health boost while enjoying this delicious fruit.
Used under Creative Commons Licensing courtesy of grassrootsgroundswell