Tomatoes are a mainstay in every single person's kitchen since they can be consumed on their own as a snack, can be used in various cuisines, and can provide you with many advantages despite their small size. Yes, a tomato is a fruit.

The tomato is a flowering plant belonging to the nightshade family. It is grown widely to produce its edible fruits. Despite their classification as a vegetable for reasons of nutrition, Tomatoes are an excellent dietary source of vitamin C and the phytochemical lycopene. The fruits are often pickled, eaten raw in salads, served as a cooked vegetable, and utilized as a component in a variety of other meals that have already been made.

The plant thrives best at generally warm temperatures and receives a lot of sunshine; in areas with lower average temperatures, it is often grown in greenhouses. Tomatoes are often staked, tied, or caged to keep the stems and fruits off the ground. Additionally, tomatoes need continuous watering to prevent blossom-end rot and cracking of the fruits. Staking, tying, or caging tomatoes is a common gardening practice.

Are you surprised by the methods that are used to grow tomatoes? Hold on until we reveal the surprising health advantages of tomatoes. 

Tomatoes protect from the sun in two different ways.

Lycopene is a carotenoid that is found in high concentrations in tomatoes. It is a pigment that is fat-soluble and is responsible for the red color of fruits and vegetables. It has been discovered that lycopene may act as a barrier against oxidative stress, including the damage caused by ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun. According to some previous studies, the fruit can operate as an internal sunscreen by avoiding sunburn and, perhaps, skin cancer if sufficient amounts of it are consumed.

A diet high in tomatoes has been shown to reduce the risk of some cancers.

There is some evidence that the lycopene found in tomatoes helps protect against malignancies other than skin cancer. Research has shown that those who eat the most tomatoes have decreased odds of developing breast, prostate, and lung cancer. This is presumably because the lycopene in tomatoes slows cancer cell formation and regulates immune function.

Although the lycopene level may be greater ounce for ounce in concentrated tomato products such as tomato paste, this does not suggest avoiding fresh fruit since lycopene is "still abundant" in it. Instead, you should continue to consume both.

Tomatoes may help protect the health of your eyes.

Tomatoes, in addition to containing the antioxidant lycopene, also include the carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin, both of which have been shown to assist in the maintenance of good eye health as well as the avoidance of age-related macular degeneration and cataracts. Tomatoes include a significant amount of vitamin A, which is an essential ingredient for eye health and can potentially lower the risk of macular degeneration and aid in preventing night blindness.

Because tomatoes contain water, eating them may assist in keeping you hydrated.

Because they contain around 94 percent water, tomatoes are an excellent source of hydration. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), they also include potassium. This electrolyte contributes to the correct hydration of the body by assisting in maintaining the intracellular fluid volume.

Tomatoes are a Powerhouse Food When It Comes to the Antioxidant Vitamin C

According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), one cup of chopped tomatoes contains about 27 percent of the daily recommended dose of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an antioxidant that helps promote immune function and the creation of collagen, decreases inflammation and helps protect against disease-causing free radical damage and aging.

Because vitamin C helps the body absorb iron, eating tomatoes with iron-rich lean proteins like beans, lentils, tofu, skinless chicken, and turkey, as well as healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, and seeds, will help you get the most out of the nutrients you consume.

Tomatoes are very beneficial to digestive health.

A diet high in tomatoes may assist in the diversity of the stomach's microbiome, which may help keep digestion in check and the immune system functioning at its best. Experiments found that dietary supplementation with tomato powder significantly increased the diversity and richness of the rodents' gut microbiota and reduced inflammatory response, which indicates that tomatoes show potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease. Although research in this area is still in the early stages, it has been found that tomatoes show potential for treating inflammatory bowel disease. 

Improved immunity and preventing illnesses such as cancer and inflammatory liver disease by moderating the development of harmful bacteria are just two of the many health advantages of a healthy, varied microbiome.

Tomatoes are healthy for your heart since they contain antioxidants.

In research studies, tomato intake was shown to be inversely correlated with the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality from coronary heart disease. Tomatoes include a variety of antioxidants and other minerals, the most notable of which is lycopene, which has been linked to a lower risk of developing cardiovascular disease. This might be one of the reasons. In previous research, it was shown that tomato sauce that had been supplemented with olive oil could reduce cholesterol levels and indicators of inflammation.

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Sources:

1. Tomato | Description, Cultivation, & History | Britannica
2. 8 Potential Health Benefits of Tomatoes (everydayhealth.com)