Yes, it’s not a mistake. I am writing about tomatoes, one of the most popular nutrient-rich foods on the planet.
Almost all of us have had problems with the correct definition: is it a fruit or a vegetable? Actually it is a fruit that has been popular since Spanish explorers discovered the ancient Aztec civilizations. Then it was used in cooking and as a gift, mainly to newlyweds, as Aztecs thought that tomatoes had the ability to increase fertility.
The latest research on tomatoes was published in the January 2017 edition of the Atherosclerosis Journal, where the authors reviewed 1189 publications and found that consuming tomatoes and tomato products is associated with potential beneficial effects to our health:
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Current evidence from intervention trials indicates that consuming tomatoes significantly improves some blood lipids, blood pressure and endothelial function
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Tomato consumption may potentially reduce the risk for heart disease and prolong life
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There are positive effects of consuming tomatoes on biomarkers of vascular risk (1)
In addition, we also know that one medium tomato provides:
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4 grams of Carbohydrates, 1 gram of Protein, 18 Calories and 0 grams of Saturated Fat
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Almost 20 percent of the required daily vitamin intake
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237 mg of Potassium, which is useful for controlling heart rate and is helpful in preventing heart disease and stroke
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Are rich in Calcium, which improves bone strength and bone formation in the body, and are also beneficial in maintaining healthy teeth
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Flavonoid antioxidants, such as Lycopene and Zeaxanthin, that protect against stress, infections, like the common cold, and cancers, such as prostate, lung, colon, and breast
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High water content; they work perfectly as a filling food for weight loss and as a skin moisturizer
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High amounts of the essential bases, like Magnesium, Kalium, and Sodium, and tomato seeds help us maintain the required pH balance and thus prevent acidosis
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High amounts of Vitamin A, that is a necessity for our eyesight
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High Fiber, that helps with diabetes, bowel problems, weight loss
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High amount of Folic acid, that is essential for our health, especially for pregnant women, also help to decrease homocysteine and decrease heart disease and depression
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High amount of Alpha-lipoic acid, which helps the body to convert glucose into energy, can aid in blood glucose control, improves vasodilation and protects against retinopathy in people with diabetes. It may even preserve brain and nerve tissue.
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Choline, that helps with sleep, muscle movement, learning and memory, and also helps to maintain the structure of cellular membranes, aids in the transmission of nerve impulses, assists in the absorption of fat and reduces chronic inflammation
For more information on a healthy lifestyle and benefits of different foods please schedule an appointment with Dr. Koganski at 215-750-7000 or www.newtowninternalmedicine.com
References:
(1) Ho Ming Cheng, et al.Tomato and lycopene supplementation and cardiovascular risk factors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atherosclerosis.2017.01.009
Tags:
tomato
heart disease
cancer
diabetes
lycopene
vitamins
