Benefits of tomato for health

Benefits of tomato for health

Learn more about this fruit, its nutritional properties, what are the types and a delicious recipe

Tomato, despite being used in salads, hot dishes and sauces, is a fruit and is widely used by those who are dieting to lose weight, as it contains few calories and many nutrients. In addition to that, there are many health and maintenance benefits of skin and hair.

It is rich in vital nutrients, helps prevent and treat various diseases, helps gain muscle mass and increases immunity.

10 Benefits of tomato for health

1. Vision

You know it's excellent for the eyes, but have you ever wondered why? Because it is rich in antioxidants, it helps prevent premature aging and macular degeneration.

Other nutrients, such as vitamin A and lycopene, are vital for healthy vision and are present in the fruit.

2. Slimming

Poor in calories, it contains a lot of nutrients and fiber, which helps keep you satiated for longer. It also helps reduce the absorption of fats in the body, being essential in detox diets.

3. Protect the heart

In addition to containing antioxidants, it is rich in lycopene, which acts directly on the health of the cardiovascular system, bringing a greater amount of oxygen to the bloodstream.

Regular consumption thins the blood and reduces cholesterol levels, thus reducing the chances of heart attacks.

4. Prevents diabetes

Its consumption helps prevent the development of diabetes, as well as helps those who already have it, because it has a significant amount of chromium in its composition, thus indicating its daily consumption.

5. Help eliminate acne and pimples

By having anti-inflammatory and moisturizing properties, it helps keep the skin free of pimples and acne. Vitamin C actively participates in the formation of collagen, being rich in it, making the skin firmer and lush.

6. Protect the brain

Regular consumption helps maintain brain health, where, according to studies, it can even combat Alzheimer's disease, as well as improve memory and concentration.

7. Stronger bones

Prevents oxidative stress in the bones, containing potassium and lycopene, reducing the chances of diseases such as osteoporosis.

8. Good night's sleep

Drinking a glass of juice before going to bed helps you have a better night's sleep, because of the presence of lycopene. The juice can be substituted for a soup, very light and warm.

9. Stronger hair

Rich in vitamins such as A and C, it is a great companion for stronger hair, reducing hair loss. In addition, it nourishes the hair bulb, making it grow faster. Fights dandruff and helps keep hair shiny and healthy.

10. Muscle gain

As it contains tomatidine, a nutrient capable of preventing muscle atrophy, it must be quite consumed by people looking to gain lean mass. This is found in greater amounts in those that are still green, stimulating protein synthesis and increasing muscle.

Nutritional properties

The fruit contains vitamins A, B, and C, in addition to potassium, calcium, and magnesium. It also has a significant amount of lycopene, with very few calories, being only 20 kcal per 100 grams.

Look at the complete nutritional chart, below.

Components Quantity in 100 g. of food

Energies 25 calories

1.2 g protein

Fat 0.2 g.

Carbohydrates 4.6 g.

1.2 g fibers.

Vitamin A (retinol) 25 mcg.

Vitamin B1 56 mcg.

Vitamin B2 43 mcg.

Vitamin B3 0.64 mg.

Vitamin C 38 mg

Calcium 6 mg

Phosphorus 20 mg

0.6 mg iron

Is the tomato a fruit or a vegetable?

Despite being present in salty dishes, such as sauces, soups, and salads, it is actually a fruit, since it originates in the ovary of the tomato tree, which characterizes it as such.

Like him, did you know that pepper, zucchini, and okra are also fruits? Ah, strawberry, pineapple, and apple are not! They are pseudo fruits.

In any case, it is delicious and there are different types. Meet the most consumed.

Types

There are several types, but these are the most consumed:

Carmen: Do you know that it is almost tasteless, huge and that it lasts forever in the fruit tree? It is the Carmen type. Serve only for salads, as it leaves the orange sauce. Even so, it is one of the most sold.

Persimmon: do you want to make the perfect vinaigrette? Choose that type. It is more sour and firm, even when ripe, being excellent for composing the accompaniment or even for more citrus juices, but it is definitely not useful for making sauces.

Dutch: easier to find in free and organic markets, the Dutch are the one that comes in branches, a little smaller and well sweetened.

Italian: this is the favorite of the kitchen since it is perfect for sauces, soups, juices and even for salads. Longer than the others, it has more pulp and fewer seeds, its durability being much shorter than that of others.

Cherry: making any dish more beautiful and delicate, the cherry type is sweet and refreshing. It is widely used in starters and decoration of dishes.

Sweet grapes: longer than the cherry type, with the appearance of a larger grape, it is very sweet and fleshy, and its consumption has grown.

How to consume it

The fruit is a true wild card in the kitchen and can be consumed in several ways:

Salad;

Decor;

Soups;

Detox juices;

Sauces;

Preserves.

Its flavor that mixes sweet and acid makes it very versatile, with great use throughout the world.

If it is consumed salty, it combines well with different cheeses, from those with the most striking flavors, the softest, dried herbs, olive oil, and olives.

Many juices can be made with it, since its flavor is mixed well with others, without making the mixture strange to the palate.

How about learning some recipes?

How to make homemade sauce