The benefits of consuming different types of fruits and vegetables are numerous. Tomatoes are not different. They offer impressive benefits for our health and wellbeing, and you’ll do well to eat this important fruit as often as you can.
The beauty of the tomato fruit is the ease with which it can be incorporated into almost every type of food – from pizza to salads, and tomato stew, sauce or even consumed raw like all other types of fruits. Whichever way, the benefits of eating tomatoes are abundant. Whether you choose to incorporate tomatoes into your food or eat it raw and fresh, you’ll get all the health benefits of tomatoes. However, some people prefer to eat tomatoes raw, because there are many health benefits of eating raw and fresh tomatoes.
8 Juicy Health Benefits of Eating Fresh Tomatoes
Below we have outlined some of the most significant health benefits of eating fresh tomatoes.
1. Prevents Cancer
Studies have shown that tomatoes contain all four major carotenoids: alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene; of which the most important is lycopene. [1]
Lycopene is a very powerful antioxidant which can help neutralize free radicals in the body. Free radicals are thought to be the major cause of cancer in the human body. By supplying the body with an adequate amount of lycopene, tomatoes reduce your chances of developing cancer.
The beta-carotene is especially effective against the growth of prostate cancer and has been shown to play a protective role against colon and colorectal cancer. [2]
2. Fights Diabetes
Studies have shown that tomatoes may have a positive effect on blood sugar levels. This is because of its fiber content level. Tomatoes are not very rich in fiber but contain a sufficient amount to have positive effects on blood sugar level and can help keep it steady.
3. Improves Blood pressure
Increase in blood pressure often leads to serious health complications and sometimes even death. The increase in blood pressure level most times is due to the abundance of sodium in the blood. Sodium is a metal which is found in common salts.
Contrastingly, the intake of potassium widens the artery and leads to a reduction in blood pressure level. Unfortunately, not many people meet the required daily intake of potassium as it is often found in only a few of the major foods we eat. Tomatoes are an abundant source of potassium. As such if you’re worried about increasing high blood pressure, you might want to consider increasing your intake of tomatoes to counterbalance it. [3]
4. Boosts Heart Health
The fiber, choline, potassium and vitamin C content of tomatoes support hearth health.
By helping to widen the artery, potassium helps to reduce the amount of work on the heart. Tomato is also a good source of folate which can help balance homocysteine levels in the body.
Homocysteine is a molecule which comes from the breakdown of amino acids in the body. High level of Homocysteine in the body increases the risk of heart failures and stroke. [4]
5. Treats Constipation
Tomatoes are often described as laxative fruits, and this is for a reason – tomatoes have high water content and are an average source fiber.
The high water content coupled with fiber makes tomato effective in causing bowel movement and help in preventing constipation – a condition in which the victim finds it difficult to pass out stools. [5]
6. Good for Pregnancy
To protect the developing fetus against neural tube defects, pregnant women are advised to take in adequate amounts of folates. Tomatoes are a rich source of folates, and while folates are available as supplements in the form of folic acids, pregnant women are still advised to consume folates from natural sources such as tomatoes. [6]
Breastfeeding moms are also advised to increase their intake of tomatoes as it increases the concentration of lycopene in their breast milk. This ensures the baby gets an adequate supply of the antioxidants.
7. Supports Eye Health
The three carotenoids; alpha- and beta-carotene, lutein, and lycopene have been shown to have a positive effects on the eyes and can prevent light-induced damages to the eyes as well as other eye-related problems such as cataract and age-related muscular degeneration which could lead to poor vision.
8. Enhances Skin Health
Collagen is an integral part of the human skin. This important component of the human skin is synthesize from vitamin C. vitamin C is a very powerful antioxidants, and its intake can help neutralize free radicals in the body, which often causes wrinkles, blemishes and sagging.
Tomatoes like every other type of fruit is a huge source of vitamin C, and regular consumption will ensure the body gets the required amounts to synthesize collagen for healthier skins. [7]
Tomatoes are an important fruit. Like every other fruit, tomatoes should be washed and eaten as often as possible. Tomatoes are often processed and stored in cans to prevent spoilage. While eating these preserved types of tomatoes are not a bad idea, it is often best for you to get your hands on the fresh types for additional benefits.
Bottom Line
The health benefits of eating fresh tomatoes are manifold. They fight cancer, boosts heart health, improve the skin and many more. Instead of consuming unhealthy snacks, you can eat fresh tomatoes as your snack and get all its juicy health benefits.
ALSO READ:
