What are the benefits of eating tomatoes? Is it good to eat tomato seeds?

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Tomatoes are native to South America. Although considered a fruit, tomatoes are often eaten and processed as a vegetable. The composition of tomatoes includes the antioxidant lycopene, which has many health benefits such as reducing the risk of heart disease and cancer.

1. Nutritional value of tomatoes

The highest percentage in tomatoes is 95% water, the remaining 5% mainly consists of carbohydrates and fiber. In 100 grams of raw tomatoes, there are the following nutrients: 18 kcal, 0.9 grams of protein, 3.9 grams of carbs, 2.6 grams of sugar, 1.2 grams of fiber, 0.2 grams of fat..
Carbs in tomatoes include: Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, make up nearly 70% of the carb content. Fiber: Provides about 1.5 grams in each medium-sized tomato. 87% of the fiber in tomatoes is insoluble fiber, in the form of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. Vitamins and Minerals: Tomatoes are a great source of many vitamins and minerals: Vitamin C, an essential nutrient that acts as an antioxidant. Using one medium-sized tomato can provide the body with about 28% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI). Potassium, an essential mineral, potassium is beneficial for controlling blood pressure and preventing heart disease. Vitamin K1, or phylloquinone, is important for blood clotting and bone health. Folate (vitamin B9) One of the B vitamins, folate is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. Especially important for pregnant women.

2. Other Plant Compounds in Tomatoes

The composition of vitamins and plant compounds in tomatoes can vary by cultivar, habitat... The main plant compounds in tomatoes are:
Lycopene. Has a red pigment and acts as an antioxidant. Lycopene's health benefits have been studied extensively. Beta carotene, the antioxidant that normally gives food its yellow or orange color, is converted to vitamin A in the body. Naringenin. This flavonoid compound, found in tomato skins, has been shown to reduce inflammation and protect against various diseases in mice. Chlorogenic acid. A potent antioxidant compound, chlorogenic acid may lower blood pressure in people with high levels. Chlorophyll and carotenoids (such as lycopene) contribute to the rich color of tomatoes. As ripening begins, chlorophyll (green) is broken down and carotenoids (red) are synthesized.

Lycopene carotenoids are most abundant in ripe tomatoes, especially noticeable when it comes to the fruit's plant compounds. It is found in the highest concentrations in tomato skins. The redder the tomato, the higher the lycopene content.
Tomato products, such as: ketchup, tomato juice, tomato paste are all the richest dietary sources of lycopene in the Western diet, providing more than 80% of the lycopene in the diet. diet in the United States.
Lycopene content in processed tomato products is often much higher than in fresh tomatoes. For example, ketchup boasts 10–14 mg of lycopene per 100 grams, while a 100-gram fresh tomato contains only 1–8 mg.

However, ketchup is usually consumed in very small amounts. Therefore, lycopene intake can be easily increased by eating unprocessed tomatoes, which also have much less sugar than ketchup.
Other foods in your diet can strongly affect lycopene absorption. Using this plant compound in combination with fat can increase absorption by up to four times. However, not everyone is able to absorb lycopene at the same rate.

3. Health benefits of tomatoes

What are the benefits of eating tomatoes? Consuming tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health and a reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
3.1. Heart health Heart disease includes heart attack and stroke, the most common causes of death in the world.
Research done in middle-aged men has found a link between low blood levels of lycopene and beta-carotene with an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. The effects of tomatoes are increasing, with evidence from clinical trials showing that lycopene supplementation can help lower LDL cholesterol.
Clinical studies on tomato products also show benefits against inflammation and markers of oxidative stress. In addition, the chemical composition of tomatoes has also shown a protective effect on the inner layer of blood vessels and may reduce the risk of blood clots.
3.2. Cancer, the uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells, which spread beyond their normal boundaries and often invade other parts of the body.
Observational studies have documented an association between tomatoes or tomato products and lower rates of prostate, lung, and stomach cancers.
Although high lycopene content is believed to have an effect on cancers, high-quality human research is needed to confirm the cause of these benefits.
Research conducted in women shows that high concentrations of carotenoids found in large amounts in tomatoes may protect against breast cancer.

3.3. Tomatoes are good for skin health Foods made from tomatoes are rich in lycopene and other plant compounds that may protect against sunburn. So, what are the benefits of eating tomatoes every day? According to one study, people who ate 40 grams of tomato paste that provided 16 mg of lycopene with olive oil daily for 10 weeks were 40% less likely to experience sunburn.
Also, is it good to eat tomato seeds? Tomato seeds in the intestinal tract are not digested, sometimes it can enter the appendix causing appendicitis.

4. Side effects of eating tomatoes

Although a tomato allergy is rare, people who are allergic to grass pollen are more likely to be allergic to tomatoes. This condition is called pollen, food allergy syndrome, or oral allergy syndrome.
In oral allergy syndrome, your immune system attacks fruit and vegetable proteins similar to pollen, leading to allergic reactions such as itching in the mouth, itchy throat, or swelling of the mouth or throat.
People who are allergic to latex may also experience cross-reactivity with tomatoes.
Tomatoes are juicy, full of antioxidants and can help fight a number of diseases. What's more, tomatoes are particularly high in lycopene, a plant compound linked to improved heart health, cancer prevention, and protection against sunburn. Use tomatoes in your daily meals for a healthy diet. Therefore, a diet with tomatoes is very good and necessary for our health.

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Reference source: healthline.com