Origin
Tomato originated from Central and South America. It was first used as a food in Mexico and then spread around the world. Tomato is consumed raw, is used in a plethora of dishes, is used to make sauces, drinks and also as an ingredient in a salad.
Health Benefits
More than a fruit, tomatoes bring along various incredible health benefits such as improving vision, digestive system, blood circulation, and kidney. Besides, the fruit also helps to slow down the ageing process, reduce the inflammation in several body parts and prevent severe diseases like cancer and heart or cardiovascular diseases. Plus, the tomato provides us with an array of vitamins, minerals and nutrients, which are used to nurture the blood, organs and overall health.
- Manage Blood Pressure: In order to lower blood pressure, you have to get lower sodium amount. High sodium consumption will increase blood pressure. Instead, high potassium consumption will help you decrease the risk of dying due to blood pressure about 20 %.
- Reduces Cholesterol and Protects the Heart: The lycopene in tomatoes prevents serum lipid oxidation, thus exerting a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. The regular consumption of tomatoes has been proven to decrease the levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. These lipids are the key culprits in cardiovascular diseases and lead to the deposition of fats in the blood vessels.
- Prevent Diabetes: Getting more fibre in diets will decrease risks of diabetes. Tomatoes are on the top of fibre rich foods and they will manage your insulin levels, lipids, and blood sugar. You can get 2 grams of fibre in each cup of tomatoes.
- Prevents Diabetes: Studies have shown that people with type 1 diabetes who consume high-fiber diets have lower blood glucose levels, while people with type 2 diabetes may have improved blood sugar, lipids and insulin levels. One cup of cherry tomatoes provides about 2 grams of fibre.
- Improve Your Vision: Vitamin A in tomatoes contributes to improving your vision, prevent macular degeneration and blindness. Along with negative effects of free radicals, you may get many vision problems. Make sure that you add tomatoes in your meals more frequently to protect your eyes. Keep reading and find out more benefits of tomatoes you may surprise.
Nutritional value
Water – g 94.52
Energy – kcal 18
Protein – g 0.88
Total lipid (fat) – g 0.2
Carbohydrate, by difference – g 3.89
Fibre, total dietary – g 1.2
Sugars, total – g 2.63
Minerals
Calcium, Ca – mg 10
Iron, Fe – mg 0.27
Magnesium, Mg – mg 11
Phosphorus, P – mg 24
Potassium, K – mg 237
Sodium, Na – mg 5
Zinc, Zn – mg 0.17
Vitamins
Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid – mg 13.7
Thiamin – mg 0.037
Riboflavin – mg 0.019
Niacin – mg 0.594
Vitamin B-6 – mg 0.08
Folate, DFE – µg 15
Vitamin B-12 – µg 0
Vitamin A, RAE – µg 42
Vitamin A, IU – IU 833
Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) – mg 0.54
Vitamin D (D2 + D3) – µg 0
Vitamin D – IU 0
Vitamin K (phylloquinone) – µg 7.9
Lipids
Fatty acids, total saturated – g 0.028
Fatty acids, total monounsaturated – g 0.031
Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated – g 0.083
Fatty acids, total trans – g 0
Cholesterol – mg 0
Amino Acids
Other
Caffeine – mg 0
Source: VKool, Medical News Today, Organic Facts, USDA
