The tomato scientifically known as Solanum Lycopersicum belongs to the group of fruit-bearing vegetables. As a fresh ingredient, it is an excellent salad ingredient, while with its pasteurization we get delicious products such as juice, concentrate, peeled tomato, which go well with pasta.
In addition to being so juicy and tasty, it is also very healthy. Tomatoes are rich in water (95% of them are water), and the rest are mostly carbohydrates and plant fibers.
It is an excellent source of beta-carotene, vitamins C, E, K and some B vitamins, and it contains potassium, calcium, magnesium, sodium, iron and belongs to low-calorie foods, 1 tomato gives us about 35 calories.
Tomato is especially rich in carotenoid-lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that gives it a strong red color and its concentration in tomatoes increases with its heat treatment, ie there is more of it in cooked tomatoes than in fresh ones.
Here's how tomatoes affect our health!
It is great for the skin
Tomato is a good source of carotenoids, especially lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant, neutralizes harmful free radicals, protects skin cells from harmful UV radiation, thus preventing premature skin aging, wrinkles and reducing the risk of skin cancer. It is also rich in vitamins C and A, strong antioxidants that keep our skin healthy and keep it young and beautiful.
Helps with blood clotting and wound healing
Tomato is a good source of vitamin K (100 g contains 6 mcg of vitamin K) necessary for the formation of prothrombin necessary for blood clotting and wound healing.
For good eyesight
Tomato is rich in beta-carotene, which decomposes in the digestive tract and gives us two molecules of vitamin A, essential for good eyesight and eye health. It also contains the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, powerful antioxidants that protect the eyes from the harmful effects of free radicals and reduce the risk of macular degeneration.
For a healthy heart
Lycopene in tomatoes, as a strong antioxidant, eliminates harmful free radicals, reduces oxidative stress. It lowers "bad" LDL cholesterol and prevents its deposition in blood vessels, thus reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.
Potassium in it is essential for proper muscle function, relaxes blood vessels and lowers blood pressure, which protects the heart.
Tomatoes also contain folate, which is essential for the breakdown of homocysteine, an amino acid whose accumulation in the blood can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
