Tomatoes are considered to be a regular part of the diet in several countries around the world. Some prefer to eat them raw, others include them in salads and sandwiches, burgers are often deemed incomplete without them, and Pakistani cuisine would lose some of its zest without this delicious, juicy food. Such is the demand of this gorgeous, deep red citrus fruit. Many consider tomatoes to be part of the vegetable family; however, based on scientific classifications, tomatoes are a citrus fruit. Due to their extensive usage in savory cooking, they are also categorized as vegetables.
Experts often recommend the consumption of natural foods that sport deep, rich colors. These colors often signify a rich nutrient content that does wonders for the body. Tomatoes too offer a bevy of benefits that can enhance your physical and mental well-being. Let’s find out all about them:
Strong Bones
Calcium is popularly associated with healthy teeth and bones, but did you know that vitamin K is also critical for the development of strong bones? Luckily, tomatoes contain 18% of your daily requirement of vitamin K. this vitamin ensures that the calcium that is supplied to the body is utilized by the bones for fortification. Excessive exposure to antibiotics can lower levels of this essential compound in the body, making it ever more important to make up for any deficiencies through external dietary sources.
Blood Pressure Control
The go-to remedy for high blood pressure is often medication. While prescribed pills may do the trick and provide immediate relief, they do come with a set of side-effects that can be unpleasant to deal with. Tomatoes contain a rich proportion of potassium citrate which helps to regulate high blood pressure levels in a completely natural and normal way. However, before you make any dietary modifications be sure to consult your doctor. Patients suffering from kidney disease in particular should always consult their doctors before consuming foods with high potassium content.
Cholesterol Control
Tomatoes are an exceptionally rich source of lycopene, a compound that yields a plethora of health benefits for the body. For instance, the phytocompounds present in lycopene not only reduce the levels of LDL cholesterol (which is bad for your body), they also increase the levels of HDL cholesterol in your system (good cholesterol). The fascinating feature of this natural food is that unlike other foods, tomatoes retain their lycopene content even after they have been cooked.
Healthy Vision
With generous stores of vitamin E, vitamin A, vitamin C, and copper, tomatoes contribute immensely to the maintenance of strong and robust vision. Tomatoes also contain lutein, zeaxanthin and lycopene- three important antioxidant phytochemicals that protect the eyes from degenerative diseases such as cataracts and macular degeneration.
Prevention Of Diseases
Though the exact mechanism has not been identified yet, nutritionists and experts endorse the disease-fighting properties of tomatoes. Lycopene in addition to other phytochemicals and nutrients contributes to building up the body’s resistance to heart diseases and several cancers.
The Takeaway
If you are not fond of tomatoes, try to incorporate them into your regular diet in small quantities across different meals. Whether you consume them raw, in pureed form, as canned food or in the form of a juice, you will be supplying your body with all the wonderful benefits that tomatoes naturally offer. However, as aforementioned, consult your doctor before making any dietary modifications. Take care, stay fit, and eat healthy foods!
