Tomatoes are considered a fruit of the family of solanaceae, originally from South America; despite being botanically a fruit, it is generally eaten and prepared as a vegetable.
Tomatoes are there main source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
These fruits are also an excellent source of vitamin C, potassium, folic acid e Vitamin K; let's discover the nutritional values and benefits of these fruits!
Index
Nutritional values
Il content of water of tomatoes it is 95%; the other 5% is made up of carbohydrates and fiber. Here are the nutrients of 100 grams of tomatoes:
- Calories: 18
- Water: 95%
- Protein: 0,9 gr
- Carbohydrates: 3,9 gr
- sugar: 2,6 gr
- Fiber: 1,2 gr
- Fat: 0,2 gr
Most of the fibers of tomatoes are of the insoluble type, in the form of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin.
Vitamins and minerals
These fruits are a good source of several vitamins and minerals:
- Vitamin C: : this vitamin is an essential nutrient and an antioxidant; a medium sized tomato can provide about 28% of the daily reference dose.
- Potassium: an essential mineral, beneficial for the control of blood pressure and the prevention of heart disease.
- Vitamin K1: Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health.
- Folate: important for normal tissue growth and cell function.
Health benefits of tomatoes
Consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.
- Heart health: heart disease, including heart attacks and strokes, are the most common cause of death in the world; high levels of lycopene are related to a reduction of bad cholesterol and oxidative stress markers, protect the inner layer of blood vessels and reduce the risk of blood clotting.
- Cancer prevention: Observational studies have found links between tomatoes (and tomato-based products) and a lower incidence of prostate, lung and stomach cancers.
- Skin health: Tomatoes are considered beneficial for skin health; Tomato-based foods are rich in lycopene and other plant compounds and help protect against sunburn.
Safety and side effects
Tomatoes are generally well tolerated and tomato allergy is very rare; however, people allergic to pollen and grasses are more likely to be allergic to tomatoes.
This condition is called oral allergy syndrome; In this syndrome, the immune system attacks the pollen-like proteins in fruit and vegetables, which leads to allergic reactions such as itching in the mouth, sore throat and swelling of the throat.
Even people with a latex allergy can experience cross-reactivity to tomatoes.
And you, did you know the properties of tomatoes? How many do you eat? Let us know in the comments!