Reasons to Use Tomatoes

Tomatoes frequently appear in every household kitchen and are used to prepare many different dishes. However, not everyone is aware of the amazing benefits and effects of this fruit, as well as the best ways to consume it.

The sweetness and acidity may vary depending on the type of tomato you choose, but all varieties provide essential nutrients, including potassium and vitamin C. They are also rich in antioxidants, which help maintain cardiovascular health and prevent certain diseases, including cancer.

According to the National Institute of Nutrition (Ministry of Health), many studies worldwide have demonstrated the special effects of tomatoes on health. Tomatoes are abundant in vitamins, minerals, and easily absorbable trace elements, helping to enhance the immune system and prevent infections.

Lycopene and beta-carotene have strong antioxidant properties. A diet rich in tomatoes has been shown to slow the aging process and reduce the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, colorectal cancer, and throat cancer, among others.

Eating tomatoes can help combat prostate cancer.

1. Improve eyesight

Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins A and C, which help prevent night blindness and enhance your eyesight. Recent studies have shown that the high vitamin A content in tomatoes can prevent macular degeneration, a serious condition that can lead to blindness. Furthermore, tomatoes may reduce the risk of cataracts. They also contain antioxidants such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.

2. Cancer prevention

Eating plenty of tomatoes can help fight prostate cancer. They may also reduce the risk of several other cancers such as stomach, lung, cervical, throat, rectal, colorectal, esophageal, and ovarian cancers due to the antioxidants, especially the high lycopene content in tomatoes. The cancer-fighting effects of tomatoes are significantly increased when cooked with olive oil.

3. Brighten skin

Tomatoes contain lycopene, a powerful antioxidant that protects the skin from sunlight and makes it less sensitive to ultraviolet rays, one of the causes of skin wrinkles. Rubbing tomato paste onto rough skin can help tighten pores, rejuvenate, and firm the facial skin.

Tomatoes brighten skin.

4. Lower blood sugar levels

Tomatoes contain very few carbohydrates, which helps lower blood sugar levels. Some studies have found that the antioxidants in tomatoes protect the vascular system and kidneys—organs commonly damaged by diabetes. Tomatoes also contain chromium and fiber that help control blood sugar levels.

5. Promote good sleep

The abundant vitamin C and lycopene can help you sleep better. Therefore, if you have trouble sleeping, consider adding tomatoes to your daily diet with a bowl of tomato soup or a smoothie.

6. Maintain strong bones

Tomatoes contain vitamin K and calcium, which help keep your bones healthy and prevent osteoporosis—an issue that can lead to fractures and bone deformities.

7. Treat chronic diseases

Thanks to anti-inflammatory compounds like carotenoids and bioflavonoids, tomatoes can alleviate chronic pain. A research program indicated that drinking a glass of tomato juice daily could reduce TNF-alpha levels in the blood, a killer that causes inflammation. Tomatoes are highly beneficial for individuals with cardiovascular disease and Alzheimer’s.

8. Good for your hair

The vitamins and iron in tomatoes can revitalize damaged and lifeless hair, giving it a shiny appearance. Additionally, the acidic nature of tomatoes can balance the pH level in your hair. If you suffer from dandruff and an itchy scalp, use fresh tomato juice on your hair and scalp after washing, and rinse with cold or warm water after 4-5 minutes. Do not use too often, as the acidity of tomatoes can dry out your hair.

9. Aid weight loss

If you are trying to lose a few pounds, make sure to include tomatoes in your daily diet as they are low in fat and cholesterol-free. Tomatoes are rich in fiber and water, which will help you feel full. You can eat fresh tomatoes or add them to stews, salads, and other friendly foods.

Whether fresh, dried, stewed, pureed, or juiced, add tomatoes to your daily diet and reap all the health benefits they offer.

Tomatoes have many health benefits. (Image: passionforpaleo.com).

10. Treat chronic hepatitis

250mg of tomatoes washed and sliced, along with 100g of thinly sliced beef, stir-fried to eat daily. This dish is effective in supporting the treatment of chronic hepatitis and helps the body recover quickly.

11. Good for kidney inflammation

Tomatoes contain substances that help regulate normal gastric secretion, ensuring red blood cells are formed, which is beneficial for maintaining the elasticity of blood vessel walls and protecting the skin. Eating tomatoes helps prevent and treat diseases like arteriosclerosis and hypertension. Tomatoes are high in water content and diuretic, making them suitable for those with kidney inflammation.

12. Protect cardiovascular health

The lycopene in tomatoes contains vitamins and minerals that protect cardiovascular health and can reduce the harmful effects of heart diseases.

13. Treat constipation and anemia

Fresh tomatoes peeled and cut into small pieces, mixed with honey, eaten 2-3 times a day, with each serving of 1-2 tomatoes.

14. Treat burns

Remove the skin of the tomato that is still attached to the flesh and apply it to the burn, changing it occasionally. This remedy alleviates pain and stimulates the skin to heal quickly.

Eating tomatoes helps prevent and treat arteriosclerosis and hypertension.

15. Treat boils and ulcers

Take the top of the tomato plant, wash it thoroughly, crush it, add a few grains of salt, and apply it to the affected area, then bandage it. Do this several times a day until healed. Alternatively, cook tomatoes with oil or fat until all moisture evaporates, then use it as an ointment to apply to the affected areas.

16. Treat high fever with thirst

Slice 200g of tomatoes and brew them to drink instead of tea throughout the day, either cold or hot. Alternatively, mix 200ml of tomato juice with 200ml of watermelon juice, divide into 2-3 servings to drink during the day.

17. Treat hypertension

In the early morning (before eating), take 1-2 tomatoes, wash them with hot water, cut them into small pieces, add a little sugar to taste, and eat them raw. Each treatment lasts for half a month, then take a 3-day break before continuing with another treatment.

18. Treat bleeding gums

Eat fresh tomatoes (ripe fruit) 3-4 times a day, with each serving of 1-2 tomatoes, for 2 weeks for results.

19. Mitigating the Harmful Effects of Tobacco Smoke

One of the most remarkable benefits of tomatoes is their ability to combat the harmful effects of tobacco smoke. According to scientific studies, nitrosamines are harmful substances that can lead to cancer. These compounds are produced within your body and are primarily found in tobacco. However, their levels can be reduced by two essential components in tomatoes: chlorogenic acid and coumaric acid.

20. Improving Digestive Health

Tomatoes help prevent constipation and diarrhea. They also have the ability to prevent jaundice and eliminate toxins from your body.

Fiber in tomatoes stimulates peristaltic movement in the digestive tract, helping to prevent hemorrhoids. Additionally, the folate found in tomatoes aids in preventing colorectal tumors, thereby reducing the risk of colon cancer.

Tomatoes help prevent constipation and diarrhea.

21. Preventing Depression

The folic acid in tomatoes helps prevent depression by blocking the excess of homocysteine, a substance that hinders the flow of blood and nutrients to the brain.

Excess homocysteine also negatively impacts the production of hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine, which are crucial for regulating emotions, sleep, and appetite.

22. Preventing Constipation

Consuming foods high in water and fiber content, like tomatoes, helps your body retain moisture and improves bowel movements. Fiber also accelerates the elimination of solid waste from the body, thus reducing constipation.

23. Providing Essential Antioxidants

Tomatoes are rich in vitamins A and C, both of which are powerful antioxidants that effectively combat free radicals in the bloodstream.

Free radicals circulating in the blood can pose dangers to the body’s organs as they can damage cells.

It is important to remember that the redder the tomato, the more beta-carotene it contains.

Additionally, be aware that vitamin C can be destroyed during cooking, so don’t forget to eat raw tomatoes.

How to Best Consume Tomatoes?

If you’re wondering whether to boil, grill, stir-fry, or eat raw tomatoes tonight, consider this information: a recent study shows that cooked tomatoes provide the best nutritional value from this fruit.

Cooking tomatoes is confirmed by American researchers to be healthier than eating them raw. Tomato juice, rich in lycopene, helps combat diseases. Lycopene is an important antioxidant that has been shown to fight cancer cells and reduce the risk of osteoporosis and cardiovascular diseases.

Studies have shown that cooking tomatoes can enhance the effectiveness of lycopene—something not observed in any other fruit or vegetable. Lycopene has a protective mechanism that helps prevent inflammation and blood clotting.

Nutrition expert Angela Houlie states: “Variety is key, and this truly applies to any type of fruit or vegetable. You should try eating them raw, cooked, and steamed, as depending on the different methods, it can definitely increase or decrease the nutrients in specific fruits or vegetables.”

Additionally, drink tomato juice. It has antioxidant levels that are double those of raw or cooked tomatoes and can also help reduce inflammation.