Tomatoes: the Health Benefits

A new tomato-based food supplement which professes to protect against heart disease and strokes is just the latest in a long line of health benefit claims for the humble tomato.  So, how can eating tomatoes help to keep you healthy?

Lycopene

This chemical does more than give the tomato its luscious red skin.  Lycopene blocks LDL cholesterol that can clog the arteries, and is the basis of a new tomato-based food supplement, ‘Ateronon’, which its creators claim could be more effective than prescription statins in treating high cholesterol, although clinical trials are not complete.  

Many studies have shown that the more tomatoes and tomato products that people consume, the lower their risks of some types of cancer, including cancers of the prostate, lung and stomach.  It is thought that this may also be linked to the presence of lycopene. 

The chemical is difficult to absorb in its natural state, but processing or cooking tomatoes (canning, making soup, sauce or ketchup etc.) breaks down cell walls and makes it easier to absorb.  Unlike many other foods, tomatoes retain most of their nutritional value even when canned.

Vitamin C

One cup of cherry tomatoes provides over 30% of the recommended daily amount* of vitamin C which is an antioxidant that protects against cell damage, boosts the immune system and forms collagen in the body.

Vitamin A

Tomatoes are also a good source of vitamin A, containing around 25% of the recommended daily amount per portion.  Our eyesight, immune systems and reproductive systems all benefit from a regular intake of dietary vitamin A.

Vitamin K

Usually found in large amounts in green vegetables, vitamin K is important in blood clotting and bone health.  A portion of tomatoes could provide you with up to 15% of your RDA.

Potassium

10% of the RDA can be provided through a handful of cherry tomatoes. Potassium helps to maintain a normal fluid balance and control blood pressure as well as reducing the risk of kidney stones.

Tomatoes are very low in saturated fat and sodium (making them safe choices for those with heart or blood pressure problems) and also contain vitamin E, thiamin, vitamin B6, folate, manganese and niacin.  On the other hand, they contain glycoalkaloids which may contribute to the symptoms of arthritis (although research has not conclusively proven this link).  If you are dieting, the tomato is an excellent choice, as a portion contains only around 27 calories and the proportion of nutrients to calories is very high.

So whether you prefer cherry or plum, cooked or raw, the tomato really is a tasty and nourishing addition to your daily diet.

 *all %RDA values are based on a portion of 1 cup of cherry tomatoes.

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