Tomato can be considered the healthiest vegetable in the world – for these reasons.
Tomato is a very healthy part of the diet. At least these seven things about this red delicacy are worth considering. Adobe Stock / AOP
The tomato, a plant loved by Finns, is really worth eating. According to research, you can achieve these seven health benefits by eating tomatoes.
1. Skin health
Released in 2022 research according to the carotenoids and polyphenols contained in tomatoes offer the skin protection against the sun’s UV radiation. They reduce skin redness and burning caused by UV radiation, DNA damage and skin aging caused by UV radiation.
In addition, lycoperoside H in tomato seeds can relieve the symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
According to research, tomato-based preparations have been found to improve skin elasticity, moisture and reduce wrinkles.
2. Prevents degenerative diseases
The antioxidants contained in tomatoes protect the brain from oxidative stress and inflammation of the nervous system. The brain is sensitive to oxidative stress.
In animal and cell studies, lycopene and tomato extract have been found to reduce the accumulation of amyloid beta protein in the brain associated with Alzheimer’s disease. They also protect dopamine-producing neurons, which can prevent Parkinson’s disease.
In addition, a high blood lycopene concentration has been linked to a lower stroke risk in studies.
Drinking tomato juice can help you recover from exercise. Pasi Liesimaa
3. Power vegetable
Research from 2014 classifies the tomato as a health-promoting power vegetable. Vegetables that meet the criteria of a “power vegetable” are associated with a lower risk of various chronic diseases, such as heart disease and some cancers.
The lycopene contained in tomatoes can help reduce oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress can cause chronic inflammation, which in turn increases the risk of cancer.
No tomato however, directly prevent cancer.
4. Supports fertility
In a small study it has been found that tomato juice improves male fertility, as it increases sperm motility. In the study, a group of men drank about two deciliters of tomato juice a day for 12 weeks.
Oxidative stress reduces sperm quality. By reducing oxidative stress, tomato antioxidants, especially lycopene, improve sperm motility and structure.
For women, the nutrients, folate and vitamin C contained in tomatoes support fertility and can reduce the risk of preeclampsia.
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The most well-known health benefits of tomatoes are related to the lycopene it contains. The redder the tomato, the more lycopene it contains.
Orange and yellow tomatoes have a different type of lycopene that may have similar health benefits to lycopene in red tomatoes, but research on the subject is lacking.
There is no lycopene in green tomatoes.
Source: University of Illinois
5. Recovery from exercise
Tomato juice has another surprising effect: it has been studied to speed up the recovery of athletes. Tomato can also prevent muscle damage.
In one study drinking tomato juice after sports for two months reduced the amount of markers of muscle damage in the blood. In the study, athletes drank 100 grams of tomato juice after sports performance.
6. Benefits for the intestines
In animal studies, tomato has alleviated intestinal inflammatory reactions, which means that it could potentially help in the management of inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. However, these effects have not yet been proven in human studies.
For example, mouse experiments have shown that eating plenty of tomatoes changes the composition of the intestinal microbiome in a way that is beneficial to health. Among other things, it prevents the accumulation of bacteria that produce hepatotoxic compounds in the intestines.
Also in an experiment with pigs eating tomatoes regularly increased both the number and diversity of beneficial microorganisms in the intestine.
Different colored tomatoes have different properties. Green tomatoes do not contain lycopene. Mari Moilanen
7. Lowers blood pressure
Tomato lycopene helps lower the LDL cholesterol level and blood pressure. In addition, the B and E vitamins contained in tomatoes promote heart health.
Eating one large tomato a day can reduce risk of high blood pressure up to 36 percent in people without hypertension. Tomato also lowers blood pressure in people who suffer from hypertension.