What tomatoes are useful for humans – 10 proven properties

Tomatoes are vegetables native to South America that are widely distributed around the globe.  They are rich in many minerals, vitamins and antioxidants.

According to numerous studies, fresh tomatoes bring tangible benefits to the human body. They lower blood pressure and prevent the development of heart disease, strengthen bones and improve eyesight, reduce the risk of malignant neoplasms and promote weight loss.

10 useful properties

Below are the 10 main health benefits of tomatoes based on science.

1. Rich composition

Tomatoes are rich dietary fiber , 87% of which are insoluble and are prebiotics , necessary to maintain an adequate qualitative and quantitative composition of the intestinal microflora. The fiber base are made up of hemicellulose, cellulose and lignin.

Tomatoes also contain a number of vitamins and minerals:

1. Vitamin C. A powerful antioxidant that helps to normalize metabolism and reduce body weight. 1 medium-sized tomato provides up to 28% of the recommended daily requirement.
2. Potassium. Is necessary for the prevention of the development of cardiovascular diseases.
3. Vitamin K1. Is a regulator of blood clotting and supports bone mineral density.
4. Folic acid. Provides full-fledged tissue growth and supports the functional activity of cells. It is extremely important during pregnancy for the proper development of the organs of the unborn child.

The main antioxidants of the plant are:

1. Lycopene. Is the pigment that gives tomatoes a red color. Scientists claim that the use of this substance is associated with a reduced risk of cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
2. Beta-carotene. Is converted into vitamin A, which supports the normal development of all tissues (especially the organ of vision), slows down aging.
3. Naringenin. Is a bioflavonoid found in the skin of tomatoes. Reduces chronic inflammation and protects cell membranes from various damages.
4. Chlorogenic acid. Reduces blood pressure and protects arterial walls from atherosclerotic damage and the formation of thrombotic masses.

2. Maintaining the health of the heart and blood vessels

Diseases of the cardiovascular system (coronary heart disease, myocardial infarction, strokes) are the most common cause of death in all developing countries.

Scientists from Finland discovered that lycopene and beta-carotene significantly reduce the risk of coronary heart disease and stroke.

According to the data experts from Japan, tomatoes reduce the concentration of the most harmful cholesterol in the blood – low and very low density lipoproteins, which can be deposited in the walls of arteries (including coronary arteries) and form atherosclerotic plaques.

Tomatoes also reduce the intensity of free radical processes and inhibit chronic inflammation. This action additionally protects the cardiovascular system from the early development of deadly diseases.

American Studies demonstrate high efficiency in order to reduce the "viscosity" of blood .

Tomato consumption is also associated with a low risk of thrombotic and thromboembolic complications of any nature.

3. Lowering blood pressure

Hypertension affects, according to various sources, up to 70% of the adult population.

According to the information American scientists, tomatoes contain large amounts of potassium, which relaxes the smooth muscles of the vascular wall, causing them to expand and lowering blood pressure.

High level of potassium intake (with a restriction of salt intake to 3 grams per day) also linked with a 20% reduction in the probability of death from any cause.

Chlorogenic acid plays an equally important role. Japanese scientists claim that this substance effectively reduces systolic and diastolic blood pressure in people with moderate arterial hypertension (up to 160/100 mmHg). At the same time, chlorogenic acid, even when taken in large doses, does not cause clinically significant side effects.

4. Cancer prevention

Recent scientific studies show that tomatoes can prevent the development of malignant neoplasms.

According to the data scientists from the USA, tomatoes, due to their high lycopene content, reduce the likelihood of prostate cancer in men, as well as stomach and lung cancer.

Proven that tomatoes reduce the risk of breast cancer in women. The biological effect is associated with the presence of carotenoids in the composition.

Tomatoes are also rich in antioxidant substances (vitamin C), which protect cells from free radicals that can damage the genetic structure and cause pathological proliferation.

5. Improving skin health

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, as well as other plant compounds that protect the skin from harmful solar ultraviolet radiation and the appearance of burns. To this conclusion researchers came from Germany.

Tomatoes also (due to the high content of vitamin C) normalize metabolism at the level of the skin, provide prevention of purulent-inflammatory diseases, increase elasticity and firmness.

6. Strengthening of bone tissue

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin K, which is directly involved in bone metabolism.

According to information scientists from Denmark, vitamin K activates proteins responsible for the deposition of calcium ions in bones. Thus , bone strengthening occurs : bone mineral density increases, the risk of developing pathological fractures decreases.

This circumstance is especially important for the elderly, as well as for women during menopause.

7. Eye protection

Lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene are powerful antioxidants that increase the resistance of the visual organs to solar radiation, prevent the appearance of degenerative changes in the macula and prevent the early development of cataracts – clouding of the lens.

Specialists from the USA have established that tomatoes can reduce the activity of age-related involution of the ophthalmic apparatus, improve blood supply to the eyeball, slow down vision loss.

8. Prevention and improvement of diabetes mellitus

Tomatoes are good a source of fiber .

According to the data Studies have shown that dietary fiber significantly reduces blood sugar levels in people with type II diabetes mellitus and reduces total glucose levels after meals in the presence of type I diabetes mellitus.

Therefore, the consumption of tomatoes can improve the course of diabetes mellitus, reduce the dose of hypoglycemic drugs or insulin taken.

The vegetable is also able to delay the early development of this disease.

9. Tomatoes are effective for weight loss

Tomatoes are a unique storehouse of vitamin C and other antioxidant substances that change metabolism at the level of adipose tissue increases the intensity of oxidation of adipocytes in order to obtain energy to meet the body's own needs.

Vitamin C also slows down the rate of formation of fat depots (especially abdominal).

Also known that any antioxidants have a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, and adipose tissue is in a state of constant chronic inflammation. Against the background of the suppression of this process, there is an improvement in microcirculation and metabolism, which can help slow down the deposition of fats in the body and lose weight as soon as possible.

10. Benefits for pregnant women

Fresh tomatoes are a source of folic acid, which is necessary for the proper formation of the fetal neural tube and the prevention of abnormalities in its development.

Women are recommended to consume folic acid regularly several months before planned conception, as well as during pregnancy.

Although tomatoes contain a small amount of folic acid, scientists from Hungary recommend include them in the diet, as the natural way to obtain biologically active substances is preferable, especially during pregnancy.

Possible harm and contraindications

Tomatoes, in most cases, are well tolerated by the human body.

In rare cases, allergic reactions may develop, which are usually mild in nature. Extremely high sensitivity of the body to tomatoes (anaphylactic shock, angioedema, etc.) is rare.

It is important to note that cases of cross-allergy have been recorded. If you are allergic to latex or pollen from other plants, eating tomatoes can be dangerous to your health.

Tomatoes are not contraindicated in pregnant women (in the absence of allergies). On the contrary, they are extremely important for the proper development of the tissues of the unborn child. The recommended daily allowance is up to 500 grams per day.

Answers to frequently asked questions

The most common questions about eating tomatoes are discussed below.

1. Which varieties should I give preference to? There are over 1300 varieties and hybrids of tomatoes in the world. The easiest way to classify them is by color. There are red, green (the flesh resembles kiwi in appearance, has a sour taste), black (they have a color close to black, were bred by scientists from the USSR in the middle of the 20th century), pink, orange and yellow tomatoes. All red varieties of tomatoes (Tolstoy F1, King of Giants, etc.) are considered the most valuable. And cherry tomatoes are perhaps the most useful.
2. Which is healthier: cucumbers or tomatoes? Both vegetables have a valuable composition and have a positive effect on human health. If you look at them from the point of view of dietetics, then eating cucumbers is preferable, since they have lower calories, contain more water and fiber. But it is not necessary to limit yourself to one thing. For example, a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and sour cream will bring tangible benefits. It is recommended to give preference to sour cream instead of mayonnaise when preparing salads.
3. How are they affected by heat treatment? Any heat treatment reduces the concentration of biologically active substances. However, stewed, boiled and baked tomatoes retain most of their medicinal properties. But it's better to give up fried tomatoes.
4. Is it necessary to peel the peel? The peel of tomatoes is not harmful, but on the contrary it is useful for the body. With full confidence in the absence of the use of chemicals in the growing process, tomatoes can be consumed with the skin.
5. Properties of tomato juice. It has a high content of folic acid, vitamin A and potassium. In addition, the calorie content of the juice is significantly lower compared to whole fruits. It is better to take freshly squeezed juice rather than canned.
6. How best to preserve them for the winter? Pickled, canned and salted tomatoes practically lack valuable nutrients for the body, but in dried or dried, on the contrary, their concentration increases. Dried fruits are used in folk medicine to lower blood pressure, increase visual acuity and slow down aging.
7. Application of the tops. Tomato leaves are not used in folk and evidence-based medicine, but the tops are used to make compost, ash, fertilizers.

Conclusion

1. Thus, tomatoes have many proven positive effects.
2. They reduce the risk of developing malignant neoplasms, diseases of the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal and endocrine systems.
3. They also improve the condition of the skin and the health of the ophthalmic apparatus, slow down aging and prevent obesity.
4. Tomatoes are recommended to be included in the diet of pregnant women in order to prevent defects in the development of the neural tube in the fetus.