“Unlocking the Health Benefits of Tomatoes: How to Make the Most of Them”

Eating ripe or squeezed tomatoes is one of the best things you can do for your body. Their rich red color comes from lycopene, which is a powerful antioxidant. In addition, tomatoes provide decent amounts of vitamin C and potassium; Which lowers blood pressure, in addition to ferulic acid, an antioxidant.

Tomatoes also contain flavonoids, phytochemicals that reduce inflammation and cell damage, and help increase blood flow. Even their seeds have health benefits, as they contain fiber and compounds called saponins, which are anti-inflammatory.

Lycopene benefits

Lycopene scavenges free radicals, which play a role in fighting cancer, heart disease and other diseases associated with aging.

And a 2020 study published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control found that men who ate tomatoes almost every day had a 28% lower risk of developing prostate cancer than men who didn’t.

Lycopene may also protect the skin from sun damage that can cause skin cancer, and some research suggests that it helps women maintain bone mass as they age.

Eat it after cooking

You can get more lycopene from tomatoes when they are cooked, for example. A large fresh tomato contains about 5 mg of lycopene, compared to about 17 mg in a half cup of tomato sauce.

To enhance the absorption of fresh tomatoes, puree or juice them; This also leads to the breakdown of cell walls (such as salsa, gazpacho, or fresh salsa).

Another tip, add olive oil, avocado, or cheese, as lycopene is fat-soluble and better absorbed.

What about infections?

People with arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, often think they should avoid tomatoes and other vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, and peppers, for example); Because it can cause inflammation that leads to joint pain.

This idea may stem from the fact that this family of plants contains a compound called solanine, which can be toxic in large amounts, but the amount found in these vegetables is very low.

There is no research showing that the nightshade family actually causes inflammation; Quite the opposite, the phytochemicals present in tomatoes have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect.

And remember, you can’t go wrong by including tomatoes in your salad, or serving slices with fresh mozzarella.

But there are many nourishing ways to benefit from it.

There is gazpacho, in which we have to chop tomatoes, cucumbers, garlic, and cilantro, blend them in a food processor, and then mix them with olive oil and a splash of vinegar before refrigerating them.

For the ratatouille recipe, olive oil is drizzled over the chopped tomatoes and other vegetables (zucchini, summer squash, eggplant, onions, etc.), herbs are added, and then grilled.

Tomatoes can be mixed with seasonal fruits, such as watermelon and peaches.