Let the tangy sweetness of the humble tomato grace your next meal and dose up on health perks at the same time. Often categorized as a vegetable, tomatoes are technically a fruit packed with protective phytochemicals and charm to spare. And despite their year-round market abundance today, tomatoes were once treasured as especially precious commodities. Read on to uncover 5 science-backed ways to gain more nutrition from this ruby red gift of healthy eating.
- Powerful Antioxidant Properties
With impressive concentrations of the antioxidants lycopene and beta-carotene, tomatoes reign as a heart-healthy choice. These phytochemicals confer health benefits by fighting the negative effects of oxidative stress and inflammation within the body. Current research continues to explore positive implications specifically for cardiovascular, bone and eye health from enjoying more tomatoes and sauce-based dishes over time.
- Potential Cancer Risk Reductions
Higher lycopene intakes link to reduced risks of prostate, lung and stomach cancers according to recent meta-analyses. Scientists point to tomatoes' richness in antioxidants working to neutralize DNA-damaging free radicals and disrupt cancerous cell growth signals. More studies are underway exploring these protective mechanisms.
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Lower Bad LDL Cholesterol
Small dense LDL particles contribute to plaques blocking arteries, increasing heart attack risks. A specific antioxidant in tomatoes called 9-oxo-ODA helps reduce artery-clogging small LDL particles, as shown in numerous studies. Choose whole tomatoes and tomato products like sauces and pastes for the intact form of this bioactive compound.
- Vitamins and Minerals Galore
One tomato averages at only around 25 calories while providing 40% of your recommended daily vitamin C. You’ll also gain dense doses of potassium, folate and vitamin K with each tasty red bite. For even greater boosts, cook tomatoes and incorporate fats - this converts more of their key lycopene antioxidant into an absorbable form.
- The More Processed, the More Benefits
While fresh, peak season tomatoes offer phenomenal flavor, processed forms like canned tomato sauce and paste deliver higher concentrations of protective nutrients and antioxidants. Cooking and processing makes certain compounds more bioavailable for the body to utilize fully.
Whether you’re craving vibrant salads or soul-warming pasta, our menu at Cucina Verona spotlights this hero ingredient in true Italian fashion. Come dine with us or stock your kitchen with authentic Italian tomato products through Cucina Mercato — we ship nationwide!
However you choose to enjoy them, let tomatoes color your healthy eating routine red. Buon appetit!