Tomatoes are considered both
fruits and vegetables and form an
integral part of our daily diets. It
is the world’s most popular fruit.
Tomatoes are vegetables and are
found in almost every region of the
earth. The scientific name of
tomatoes is Solanum lycopersicum.
They can be eaten raw, or cooked.
You can find tomatoes in countless
different foods. They have high
acid content which makes them a
suitable food for canning. One
medium whole tomato contains:
* 22 calories
* 0 grams of fat
* 5 grams of carbohydrates
* 3 grams of sugar
* 1 gram of dietary fiber
* 1 gram of protein
* 6 milligrams of sodium
Eating more tomatoes and tomato
products can make a person
healthier and decrease the risk of
developing certain types of cancer.
Tomato contains large amount of
lycopene, an antioxidant that is
highly effective in eliminating
cancer causing free radicals.
Lycopene have be proven to be
particularly effective in fighting
cervical cancer, prostate cancer,
cancer of the stomach, lung, and
rectum as well as pharynx and
esophageal cancers. It also
protects against breast cancer and
cancer of the mouth.
Processed tomatoes contain even
more lycopene than raw ones. For
you to get the full healthy effect of
lycopene in tomatoes you need to
cooked or heat processed. The
process of cooking breaks down the
cell walls, helping to release the
lycopene. Eating tomatoes with a
little bit of fat, such as olive oil,
helps lycopene to be better
absorbed by the body. So now is
the time to include tomatoes in
food and stay healthy!