| Tomatoes are non-starchy veggies that are rich in antioxidants, especially lycopene. Although we can buy tomatoes year around, the tastiest tomatoes are available between July and September. Tomatoes’ slightly sweet flavor makes it a great partner for salads, sauces, soups, and more flavorful foods. Cooking improves the flavor of tomatoes. The healthiest tomatoes are organically grown. Ideally, any food that is eaten with the skin should be grown organically. Non-organically grown foods should have their skin removed to avoid pesticides and other pollutants.
The Health Benefits of Eating Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in antioxidants (phytonutrients) especially lycopene. Antioxidants protect our body against cancers.
The deepest red organic ketchup, tomato sauce, juice and other tomato products contain the most lycopene. The combination of lycopene and other antioxidants found in tomatoes make tomatoes a very healthy food. Also, when tomatoes are combined with broccoli there is an increase protection against cancers.
Tomatoes are also rich in vitamin C and vitamin A. Vitamin A has is made up of antioxidants like carotenoids including beta-carotene. This offers protection against inflammation. Inflammation causes a number of health issues like asthma, diabetes complications, colon cancer, and atherosclerosis.
Tomatoes are a good source of dietary fiber. Soluble dietary fiber forms a gel that traps bile acids and help them leave the body. This action reduces cholesterol because bile acids are made of broken pieces of cholesterol.
Tomatoes promote heart health because of potassium, niacin, vitamin B6 and folate.
Nutritional Information:
Amount Per Serving – 1Cup (180 g) Calories: 37.8
*based on a 2,000 calorie diet |
|
Percent (%)
Davily Value (DV) |
| Calories from Fat |
0 |
|
| Total Fat (g) |
0.36 |
|
| Saturated Fat (g) |
0 |
|
| Cholesterol (mg) |
0 |
|
| Sodium (mg) |
9 |
|
| Potassium (mg) |
399.6 |
9.5 |
| Total Carbohydrates (g) |
7.1 |
|
| Dietary Fiber (g) |
2 |
7.9 |
| Sugars (g) |
4.9 |
|
| Protein (g) |
1.53 |
3.1 |
| Vitamin A (IU) |
1121.4 |
22.4 |
| Vitamin C (mg) |
34.38 |
57.3 |
| Vitamin K (mcg) |
14.22 |
17.8 |
| Chromium (mcg) |
9.0 |
7.5 |
| Iron (mg) |
0.49 |
|
| Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) (mg) |
0.11 |
7.3 |
| Folate (microgram – mcg) |
27 |
6.8 |
| Phosphorus (mg) |
43.2 |
4.3 |
| Manganese (mg) |
0.19 |
9.5 |
| Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid) (mg) |
0.44 |
4.5 |
| Phosphorous (mg) |
44 |
|
|
