What is the tomato good for?
If you live in the Mediterranean, or follow a balanced and varied diet based on the Mediterranean diet, it is quite likely that you have already enjoyed all the flavor of the best tomatoes fresh, of that striking reddish color and that delicate refreshing power, ideal in salads, accompanied by avocado or with a bread cake spread with extra virgin olive oil. In short, who could resist?
It is a less delicious food, which from a more popular point of view is mostly known by the names of tomato or tomato, while its original scientific name is Solanum lycopersicum. It belongs to the Solanaceae family, and in the kitchen it is common consumed fresh and whole, or in sauce, puree, juice or even dehydrated (for example, the popular dried tomatoes).
Its striking reddish color gives us an idea of the different compounds and beneficial substances that we find both in their skin and in their interior, in their flesh. In fact, we can mention the presence of lycopene, a natural antioxidant that in addition to enhancing and protecting the different functions of the male reproductive system, is also capable of preventing the risk of gastrointestinal and prostate cancer.
Whether you usually consume tomato, as if until now you were not so much a consumer, but you dare to discover some of its most important qualities, it is always good - and interesting - to know something more about what is good for:
1. To prevent cardiovascular diseases
When it comes to preventing cardiovascular diseases, the tomato stands out precisely because of its high lycopene content. It is a natural substance with antioxidant qualities and benefits, which has the ability not to become vitamin A, and exert a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases.
2. To prevent hypertension
If you have high blood pressure there is no doubt that tomatoes can become an ideal food that could not be missing from your diet. And in addition to its lycopene content, it also contributes potassium, a mineral that helps prevent fluid retention and whose deficit negatively affects high blood pressure.
3. To eliminate toxins from the body
In addition to its lycopene content, tomato also contributes glutathione, a component with antioxidant benefits, which helps eliminate free radicals, and is especially appropriate in the elimination of toxins from our body, especially heavy metals.
4. To prevent prostate cancer
It has been scientifically proven that men who consume tomatoes regularly have a lower risk of prostate cancer, while the tomato exerts a protective paper in front of this type of tumor. This quality is found precisely in tomato thanks to its content in both lycopene and glutathione. Apparently, according to the studies carried out, both components would be able to bind to the tissue of the prostate, reducing the DNA damage of the prostatic tissue.
5. To heal wounds
Although there are many internal benefits that regular consumption of tomatoes gives us, did you know that it is also a food that helps us in a very positive way when it comes to heal wounds, reduce inflammation and promote the natural healing of these? You only need to crush a tomato leaf and apply it in the form of a plaster.
Images | Flickr / liz west This article is published for informational purposes only. You can not and should not replace the consultation with a Nutritionist. We advise you to consult your trusted Nutritionist.
