Tomatoes Fruit Or Vegetable?

Benefits Of Tomato

Tomato - fruit or vegetable? This is one of the greatest confusions surrounding the eatable, in the present times. Though technically a fruit, tomato is used as a vegetable for cooking purposes. Whatever be their use, tomatoes have been known to comprise of a number of important nutrients and are believed to accord a number of nutritional benefits to their users. Infact, tomatoes are said to diminish the risk of a number of fatal ailments, like cancer and heart attack. Through the following lines, we intend to help you understand the fruit better, by listing its nutritional value and health benefits. So, just go through the following lines and increase your knowledge about tomatoes.

Nutritional Value of Tomato

Tomato has been known to comprise of the following nutrients: 

• Vitamin A
• Vitamin C
• Vitamin K
• Fiber
• Carbohydrate
• Potassium
• Iron
• Lycopene (an antioxidant)
• Some amounts of Phosphorus, Sulfur and Potassium 

Tomatoes have also been associated with low content of calories, fats and sodium.

Health & Nutrition Benefits of Eating Tomatoes 

• The presence of antioxidants in tomatoes is said to be helpful in cleansing toxic compounds from the body.
• Lycopene, present in tomatoes, has been known to neutralize free radicals in the body and cut the risk of prostate cancer.
• Those who eat raw tomatoes have been found to be at a much lesser risk of developing rectal, colon or stomach cancer.
• It is believed that tomatoes block the effects of nitrosamines and thus, reduce the risk of lung cancer.
• Researches have suggested that eating tomatoes might help reduce the risk of heart attack.
• The vitamin K present in tomatoes helps in keeping the bones strong and healthy. It also helps prevent hemorrhages.
• Consuming raw tomato on a regular basis can help improve the texture of your skin and add glow.
• Tomatoes have been recognized throughout the world, for their blood purifying properties.
• If you are suffering from congestion of the liver, having tomatoes will prove to be quite beneficial.
• Tomato is known to help protect the liver from cirrhosis and can dissolve gallstones as well.
• Being a natural antiseptic, tomatoes can help protect the body against various common infections.
• The nicotinic acid in tomatoes is credited with reducing blood cholesterol, which in turn helps keep heart diseases at bay.
• Studies have shown that consumption of tomatoes and tomato based products may prevent serum lipid oxidation and reduce the risk of macular degenerative disease.
• When applied topically, tomato pulp can help heal sunburn, wounds and sores.
• Tomatoes can also help the body prevent diarrhea and soothe eye irritation as well.
• Tomatoes have been found to have positive effects in case of ailments like constipation, diabetes, indigestion, intestinal disorders and jaundice.
• Pregnant women, suffering from morning sickness, will benefit from tomato consumption.
• If you are suffering from liver disorders, night blindness, obesity and urinary tract infection, try having tomatoes everyday.  

Health benefits of tomato include eye sight, good gut health, low hypertension, diabetes, skin problems and urinary tract infections. Tomato is considered both a fruit and vegetable and forms an integral part of the cuisine all across the globe especially in the Mediterranean region. Daily consumption of tomato provides a great boost to health apart from improving the flavour of food. It consists of a large number of antioxidants which have been proven to fight different forms of cancer. It is a rich source of vitamins and minerals and exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. It also improves eye health and prevents hypertension and urinary tract infections.

Health benefits of tomato have been known to mankind since ages. Tomato is a rich source of antioxidants that have been proven to be effective against many forms of cancer. Some of the other health benefits of tomato are as follows:

• Abundant Source of Antioxidants: Tomato contains large amount of lycopene, an antioxidant highly effective in scavenging cancer causing free radicals. This benefit can be obtained from even heat-processed tomato products, including ketchup. The lycopene in tomato fights against cancer and has been shown to be particularly effective in fighting prostate cancer, cervical cancer, cancer of the stomach and rectum as well as pharynx and oesophageal cancers. It also protects against breast cancer and cancer of mouth according to studies published by Harvard School of Public Health.
• Reduces Cholesterol and Protects Heart: The lycopene in tomato prevents serum lipid oxidation, thus exerting protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. The regular consumption of tomato has proved to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These lipids are the key culprits in cardiovascular diseases and lead to deposition of fats in the blood vessels.
• Rich Source of Vitamins and Minerals: A single tomato can provide about 40% of daily vitamin C requirement. Vitamin C is a natural antioxidant which acts against cancer-causing free radicals. It also contains abundant vitamin A and potassium as well as iron. Potassium plays a vital role in maintaining nerve health and iron is essential for maintaining normal blood health. Vitamin K which is essential in blood clotting and controls bleeding is abundant in tomatoes.
• Counters the Effect of Cigarette Smoke: The two main components of tomatoes, coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, fight against nitrosamines which are produced in the body and are the main carcinogens found in cigarette smoke.
• Improves Vision: Vitamin A, present in tomato aids, aids in improving vision, preventing night-blindness and macular degeneration.
• Keeps Gut Healthy: Tomato keeps the digestive system healthy by preventing both constipation and diarrhoea. It also prevents jaundice and effectively removes toxins from the body.
• Lowers Hypertension: Daily consumption of tomatoes reduces the risk of developing hypertension.
• Alleviates Diabetes: A study conducted by Journal of the American Medical Association shows that daily consumption of tomatoes reduces the oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes.
• For Healthy Skin: Tomato aids in maintaining healthy teeth, bones, hair and skin. Topical application of tomato juice is known to cure severe sunburns. Daily consumption of tomato protects the skin against UV-induced erythema. Tomato ranks high in preparation of anti-aging products.
• Prevents Urinary Tract Infections: Tomato intake also reduces the incidence of urinary tract infections as well as bladder cancer.
• Prevents Gallstones: Regular consumption of tomato can also dissolve gallstones.

There have been various studies to prove the efficacy of tomato against many chronic diseases and cancers. The antioxidant properties of tomato can also be derived from processed foods which include tomato such as ketchup and puree. Daily consumption of tomato fulfils the daily requirement of vitamins and minerals and exerts protective effect on the body.


Health Benefits of Tomato :

1. A large consumption of tomato can help improve skin texture and color.
2. Tomato is a good blood purifier.
3. Tomato helps in cases of congestion of the liver (protects the liver from cirrhosis) as well as for dissolving gallstones.
4. Tomato is a natural antiseptic therefore it can help protect against infectionNicotinic acid in tomatoes can help to reduce blood cholesterol, thus helps prevent heart diseases.
5. Vitamin K in tomatoes helps to prevent hemorrhages.
6. Tomato contain lycopene (the red pigment in tomato), this pigment is a powerful antioxidant that can also fight cancer cells.

Nutritive Values of Tomato : Per 100 gm.

• Vitamin A : 1,000 I.U.
• Vitamin B : Thiamine .06 mg.;
• Vitamin C : 23 mg.
• Vitamin K : amount uncertain
• Calcium : 11 mg.
• Iron : .6 mg.
• Phosphorus : 27 mg.
• Potassium : 360 mg.
• Protein : 1.0 gm.
• Calories : 20