tomatoes
Tomato plant belongs to the plant species and grows in most of the world throughout the seasons; it grows in cycles and seasons. Tomato shrubs are small seasonal, and have different shapes; their stems are separated from the hard trunk in the soil, their leaves are finely chopped, and their flowers are small yellow, while their fruit taste is slightly stinging.
The fruits of the tomato plant are functional foods that supply the body with basic nutrition and many chemical compounds that it needs, and it has an important role in protecting it from chronic diseases and giving it various health benefits, such as: Lycopene. It was believed about 200 years ago in the United States of America, despite the spread of eating tomatoes around the world; it was thought that tomatoes may be toxic, and this is due to the toxicity of some species of the plant species.
The nutritional value of tomatoes
Tomatoes contain many minerals, vitamins, mineral salts and fatty substances, as well as carbohydrates, proteins, natural colors and cellulose, but contain some toxic alkaloids when they are green; these compounds are less concentrated as tomato fruits mature, Per 100 g of fresh ripe tomatoes:
| Food ingredient | Nutritional value |
|---|---|
| Water | 94.52 grams |
| energy | 18 calories |
| protein | 0.88 grams |
| Total fat | 0.2 g |
| carbohydrate | 3.89 grams |
| Fibers | 1.2 grams |
| Calcium | 10 milligrams |
| iron | 0.27 milligrams |
| Magnesium | 11 milligrams |
| Phosphorus | 24 milligrams |
| potassium | 237 milligrams |
| sodium | 5 milligrams |
| zinc | 0.17 milligrams |
| Vitamin C | 13.7 milligrams |
| Vitamin B1 | 0.037 milligrams |
| Vitamin B2 | 0.019 milligrams |
| Vitamin B3 | 0.594 milligrams |
| Vitamin B6 | 0.080 milligrams |
| Folic acid | 15 micrograms |
| Vitamin B12 | 0 μg |
| Vitamin A | 833 international units |
| Vitamin K | 7.9 micrograms |
| Vitamin E | 0.54 milligrams |
The benefits of tomatoes
For tomatoes The benefits of many benefits to the body health benefits, the most important of which are:
Reduce the symptoms of diabetes
Tomato reduces the symptoms of type I and II diabetes because it contains fiber. One cup of cherry tomatoes contains two grams of dietary fiber. Some research has shown that people with type 1 diabetes consume diets high in dietary fiber, blood glucose levels They, as well as people with type 2 diabetes will improve their levels of fat, insulin, and sugar in the blood.
Maintain blood pressure levels
Tomatoes maintain their blood pressure levels because of their low sodium content. Each 100g of fresh ripe tomatoes contains 5 mg of sodium, and its high potassium content increases blood vessels. In every 100g fresh ripe tomatoes 237 mg potassium.
Promote cardiovascular work
Tomatoes promote heart muscle and blood vessels and protect them from disease because of their good content of vitamin C, fiber, choline and potassium, which is associated with large amounts of it in conjunction with the intake of low amounts of sodium lower risk of stroke, Assistant Mark Houston of the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, and folic acid, which enters the tomato diet, play a role in reducing the risk of heart disease.
Combating different types of cancer
Tomatoes fight different types of cancer and fight cancer cells and free radicals because of their high content of vitamin C and other antioxidants, said Professor John Erdman of the University of Illinois at the College of Food Science and Human Nutrition. “There is a close association between increased tomato intake and a lower incidence of prostate cancer because of the tomato content of lycopene. A study at the Harvard School of Public Health and Nutrition has shown that eating veggies Foods rich in beta-carotene, such as tomatoes, may play an important role in protecting against prostate cancer, which has been observed among younger men.
Another study in Japan has shown that beta-carotene consumption is inversely associated with the development of colon cancer and that consumption of fiber from fruits and vegetables may reduce the risk of cancer: colon, rectum and, according to the American Cancer Society, people who eat tomatoes may have a lower risk of developing Some types of cancers, especially cancers: stomach, prostate, and lung.
A rich source of vitamin C
Tomato is a rich source of vitamin C, which enters the synthesis and synthesis of collagen, an essential component of hair, nails, skin, and connective tissue. Vitamin C is one of the most important antioxidant vitamins, protects the skin from harmful sun rays and environmental pollution, , Skin sagging, and many other skin problems.
Strengthen the digestive system
Tomato enhances the digestive system, and protects the body from constipation, because it contains fiber and water, which activates the movement of the intestine, and softens the stool.
Protect eyes
Tomato protects eyes because of its high content of beta-carotene, lycopene, lutein, and strong antioxidants that protect the eyes, maintain their health and limit the development of age-related macular degeneration, which increases the likelihood of progression The person of age.
Tips to avoid damage to tomatoes
Despite the high nutritional value of tomatoes, there are some precautions to take into account to avoid damage caused by consumption, including:
- Consumption of people with kidney health problems Large amounts of tomatoes may be fatal because of their high potassium content, because the kidneys are unable to remove excess potassium in the blood.
- It is recommended to buy organic tomatoes if available, because the proportion of pesticides that remain stuck with tomato crust high, and advised to wash well before eating, whether organic or not.
- Heart patients who take beta-blocker medications are advised to moderate the consumption of tomatoes, because this drug increases the potassium content in the blood.
- Esophageal reflux patients are advised to reduce the intake of tomatoes; they increase their symptoms, such as: heartburn; tomatoes are high-acid foods.
- Eating tomatoes may irritate the skin’s so-called eczema, and its symptoms worsen. Symptoms include: itching, skin irritation, redness and swelling.
- Tomato contact Allergy, which causes the secretion of histamine in the body’s external areas, such as the nose, skin, eyes, and respiratory and digestive organs. Allergy may appear in the form of tomatoes, Skin rash, swollen face, mouth, and teeth, in addition to cramps may affect the digestive system, such as: abdominal pain, diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, may lead to increased sneezing, coughing, runny nose, shortness of breath.
- People with psoriasis and its symptoms are advised to stay away from the fruits and vegetables of the family, including tomatoes, because they can lead to the spread of the disease, its severity and its annoying symptoms. However, there are not enough studies and research to support this information, To see the effect, psoriasis patients are advised to exclude tomatoes from the diet if the symptoms of the disease are observed for a certain period of time; and to monitor changes in the severity of psoriasis, if any.
- People with tomato allergies may have an allergic reaction to latex or rubber, so be careful when using latex.