10 (unsuspected) benefits of tomato on health

Tomato, we all know that it is light fruit, rich in fiber, vitamins, and minerals such as iron, calcium, zinc or magnesium. But concretely, what can all this bring us from a “health” point of view?

Read Also: Six Essential Nutrients Which Are Important For Your Body

Health Zigzag tells us everything and reveals 10 unsuspected health benefits of tomato.

Tomato: a fruit or a vegetable?

In 1893, there was a debate in the United States as to whether the tomato was a fruit or a vegetable. You must know that vegetables must pay taxes, unlike fruits that do not pay!

The court finally ruled that the tomato is a vegetable under the customs law (a decision surely made against the success of the tomatoes which could thus bring back to the State of the consequent funds). But of course: botanically speaking, the tomato is a fruit [1].

1. Tomato, an anti-cancer food

Tomato is a fruit very rich in lycopene; a compound that gives it its red color, and which, according to many studies, can prevent the appearance of certain cancers such as breast cancer, prostate cancer, stomach or colon cancer. If you want to know about anti-cancer foods then we recommend you to read this article: Best Foods that Prevent Cancer: Anti Cancer Foods

2. Tomato benefits your heart health

Recent studies have shown that thanks to its components, people who regularly put tomatoes on their menus have a chance of seeing their bad cholesterol (LDL) levels drop. Frequent tomato consumption also reduces the risk of stroke in individuals. So add tomato in your daily routine diet to get its heart health benefits.

3.  Tomato to stay young

Tomato is rich in vitamin E, vitamin C, beta-carotene and lycopene, all of which have strong antioxidant properties. It is, therefore, a perfect fruit to fight against free radicals, compounds responsible for the premature aging of our cells.

4. Tomato to stimulate transit

Yes: thanks to its high fiber content, the tomato is ideal to gently restart the intestinal transits a little lazy, and help us find a flat stomach. But be careful to make the most of the tomato’s fiber. You do not forget to eat it with the skin, without peeling it.

5. Tomato for a good-looking effect

Even if it does not have the orange color of the carrot, the tomato is a fruit rich in beta-carotene. Beta-carotene is a pigment that promotes the creation of melanin and is ideal to give us a nice tan without having to go through the box ” Sun” [2].

6. Tomato to protect our skin

In summer, to avoid becoming red like a tomato while exposing oneself to the sun, do not forget to stock up on tomatoes in your plates before going on vacation. Indeed, lycopene is a pigment created by the tomato to protect itself from the ultraviolet rays of the sun, and which has the same effect on us. Perfect to keep an apricot complexion all summer, and preserve our solar capital at the same time [3].

7. The tomato to keep the line

In summer, when it has arrived in its full season, do not hesitate to use and abuse the tomato at the time of the meals. With hardly 18 calories per 100 grams and water content of about 95%, it is an ultra-light, ultra-digestible and ultra-moisturizing food that must not be overlooked.

8. Tomato against high blood pressure

Thanks to its richness in vitamins A, C, and E, but also in calcium, potassium, and lycopene. The tomato prevents bad cholesterol from attaching to the walls of the blood vessels, which causes their hypertrophy, and the increase of blood pressure. Tomato benefits your health and keeps your blood pressure in control. Like many other health benefits, tomato helps to reduce high blood pressure. So consume it regularly to get good results.

9. The tomato to fight against diabetes

Because of its high content of lycopene and chromium, tomatoes could improve blood glucose control and prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes.

10. Tomato, an anti-acne weapon

Last health benefit that can be recognized tomato? The lycopene (always him!) That it contains a substance that has been recognized as very effective in fighting acne and small pimples. This acne and pimples sometimes come to bang the incrust on our face. But beware: to enjoy it, you must eat products derived from tomato (juice, ketchup, etc.).