Medicinal properties and benefits of tomatoes for human health

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Yakov Pavlovich

Professor, Head of the Department of Vegetable Growing

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There are few people who do not like tomatoes or juice from them. But not everyone knows the benefits and harms of tomatoes for the body of women and men. And also during pregnancy and feeding, with various ailments. Many consider the vegetable to be only an invariable component of borscht, ketchup, fresh salad and canned food.

The chemical composition and calorie content of tomatoes

The biochemical composition of tomatoes is diverse, since they contain amino acids, mono- and oligosaccharides, organic acids, and iron salts. The fruits contain the following macro- and microelements:

• potassium;
• magnesium;
• calcium;
• phosphorus;
• zinc;
• fluorine;
• copper;
• iodine.

The aroma of the fruit is given by volatile alcohols and aldehydes.

The calorie content of tomatoes per 100 grams is only 19.9 kcal. Tomatoes contain an insignificant amount of proteins - 0.6 g, as well as 0.2 g of fat and 4.2 g of carbohydrates.

What vitamins are found in tomatoes

This healthy vegetable contains a significant amount of B vitamins, PP, beta-carotene. In terms of vitamin C content, some varieties of tomatoes are comparable to citrus fruits.

Lycopene for women

The most beneficial substance in tomatoes for a woman's body is lycopene, a strong antioxidant that gives them a red color. An interesting fact is that cooked tomatoes contain more lycopene than raw ones - high temperatures make lycopene more digestible for the body.
Research has been done on the effect of heating and cooking tomatoes on their chemical properties. Fresh fruits are the best source of vitamin C, as the cooking process eliminates most of it. However, lycopene levels have been found to increase dramatically when tomatoes are heated and cooked. This is good news as this beneficial phytochemical has been shown to prevent and combat:

• cancer,
• cardiovascular diseases,
• ischemic heart disease.

It is lycopene that gives tomatoes their deep red color and is believed to have the highest antioxidant activity of all carotenoids.
Researchers at Rutgers University studied the effects of a tomato-rich diet and a soy-rich diet on 70 postmenopausal women and found that the tomato diet resulted in a 9 percent increase in the hormone adiponectin, high levels of which are associated with a reduced risk of obesity, diabetes, and breast cancer. For 10 weeks, women ate tomato products containing at least 25 milligrams of lycopene, and then for another 10 weeks, at least 40 grams of soy.

“The benefits for women of consuming large quantities of tomatoes and tomato-based foods, even for a short period of time, were clear,” said study author Adana Llanos, Ph.D., associate professor of epidemiology at Rutgers University, in a statement. rich in essential nutrients, vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals such as lycopene, provides significant benefits. "

Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes have a beneficial effect in several ways:

1. They prevent oxidative and inflammatory processes in the body, thanks to which tomatoes help against cancer.
2. They destroy already existing cancer cells thanks to a special substance - alpha-tomatine.
3. They regulate the functioning of the nervous system, being a good antidepressant due to the content of serotonin, the hormone of joy.
4. They have antibacterial properties due to the presence of beneficial phytoncides.
5. They help with constipation, since the skin of the vegetable stimulates intestinal peristalsis.
6. They prevent thrombosis, as the seeds inside the fruit thin the blood.

The beneficial properties of tomatoes are due, among other things, to the presence of lycopene in them. This antioxidant becomes more beneficial in the finished product. It is well absorbed together with vegetable oil, which can be used to season salads. It is lycopene that prevents DNA mutation and the growth of cancer cells.

Why tomatoes are useful for women

Tomato is good for the female body - alpha-tomatin and lycopene reduce the risk of breast cancer. Also, the use of this vegetable tidies up the condition of the skin, making it smoother and more tender.

The benefits of tomatoes for men

The effect of a vegetable on men's health is known. Tomatoes are good for prostatitis, and research has shown that regular consumption of tomatoes reduces the risk of prostate cancer.

What is the value of a vegetable?

The benefits of tomatoes lie in a wide range of vitamins and minerals, where iron occupies a special place. Its amount in tomato is higher than in chicken, fish, or milk. And tomatoes are rich in vitamins C and carotenoids along with citrus fruits.

What are the benefits of a tomato for the body? Lycopene contained in this vegetable is of particular value among the carotenoids. Lycopene is known as an antioxidant and as a protection for the cardiovascular system.

Lycopene in tomatoes resists radiation, ultraviolet light, free radicals, is the prevention of cancer, and also slows down the aging process. Belonging to the carotenoid class, it is 2 times more potent than beta-carotene found in carrots and many vegetables. Maintaining a high level of lycopene in the blood prevents the development of the early stages of atherosclerosis of the vessels of the lower extremities, since it does not allow the vascular wall to thicken.

Interestingly, the production of this substance increases by 3 times in heat-treated tomatoes. Only ripe vegetables have this valuable ingredient. The production of lycopene is increased when the tomatoes are fried in oil until the oil turns red. In this case, the paste is reduced by half: the water evaporates and only tomato oil remains. This method is successfully used when cooking borscht. Fried nutritious tomatoes are constantly used in their dishes by the Greeks and Spaniards. So, tomatoes are useful in every way, but roasted tomato oil is the most valuable substance that tomatoes can provide.

Tomatoes during pregnancy

Pregnant women can and even need to eat tomatoes. Iron and potassium in their composition are useful for the hematopoiesis of the expectant mother, and phosphorus and calcium are necessary for the formation of the baby's skeletal system.

Important! Mainly fresh vegetables will be useful for bearing. Salted tomatoes are more harmful because they put an excessive strain on the kidneys.

Vitamin C protects a pregnant woman from frequent colds, and vitamin B9 is recommended to be consumed by both parents even before conception - this reduces the risk of malformations of the child.

What are the benefits of tomatoes for a woman's health?

The beneficial properties of tomatoes have a positive effect on women's health.

• Metabolism is normalized, extra pounds go away.
• During menopause, it is recommended as a means of strengthening bone tissue and normalizing bone structure.
• It is a means of preventing cancer and pathologies of the female genital organs.
• Recommended as a preventive and therapeutic agent for anemia or the risk of its development.
• Improves the functioning of the digestive system.
• It relieves the skin of the face from various rashes, cleanses and revitalizes it, improves its appearance.
• It is a drug for many skin problems - for dermatitis, psoriasis, eczema.
• Relieves puffiness and removes excess fluid from the body.
• It significantly reduces the amount of cholesterol in the blood.

The benefits of tomatoes during pregnancy

If during pregnancy you really want tomatoes or tomato juice, and the doctor has no prohibitions on this, then you can and even need to eat this product. Fresh tomatoes affect the body of a pregnant woman and the development of the fetus only positively (with reasonable use).

• Calcium and phosphorus contribute to the formation of a healthy and strong skeletal system in a child.
• Iron and potassium have a positive effect on the functioning of the circulatory system.
• Tomato juice should be consumed with high blood pressure and disorders of the stomach and intestines.
• Juicy tomato pulp is recommended for edema and excess fluid in the body of the expectant mother.
• It is an effective prophylactic remedy for constipation.
• The body is cleansed of toxins and toxins.
• Vitamins strengthen the immune system and protect against colds, calm the nervous system.
• Folic acid is an indispensable element in preparation for pregnancy and during the period of bearing a baby.

Is it possible to eat tomatoes while losing weight

The low calorie content of fresh tomato makes it a useful product for the dietary diet. In addition, the vegetable has a number of other benefits for losing weight:

• copes well with swelling;
• removes toxins and bile;
• improves digestion;
• normalizes metabolism.

The lycopene in the vegetable helps break down fat cells. The redder the fruit, the more lycopene it contains. Cherry tomatoes are especially useful in this regard. Tomatoes go well with meat products, as they improve the absorption of animal protein.

What color is healthier than tomatoes

Each type and variety of tomatoes has its own positive sides, features and advantages.

1. Yellow

Sunny tomatoes are appetite-appetizing with their warm appearance and are considered the healthiest. They can even be consumed by those who are allergic to red tomatoes. Fruits of this variety contain less acidity, and their flesh is more fleshy and contains a minimum of liquid. Yellow tomatoes can be eaten in small doses by people with high stomach acidity. These fruits contain substances that have a beneficial effect on the quality of vision, hair, nails and immunity.

1. Red

Red tomatoes are recommended for use with low stomach acidity, flatulence, constipation, anemia, impaired memory, loss of strength after a cold or stress, kidney and heart disease. Such fruits help to thin the blood, cleanse the intestines, remove harmful substances and relieve nervous tension.

1. Black

The unusual shade of black fruits is sure to attract the eye and raises a lot of questions about their benefits. It is believed that black tomatoes have a lot of antioxidants and B vitamins, which makes them an excellent prophylactic against the development of tumors, colds and infectious diseases, heart and vascular problems. Tomatoes of this variety also have a rejuvenating effect, and are also an aphrodisiac.

1. Green

Unripe green tomatoes are not only useful in themselves, but also used as an additional remedy (in complex treatment) for many diseases. Their use:

• helps to lose weight and increase hemoglobin;
• normalizes metabolism and improves the functioning of the digestive tract;
• strengthens memory and stimulates brain activity;
• restores the skin, heals minor injuries, abrasions;
• helps to get rid of bad habits, in particular from smoking;
• keeps the whole body in good shape, promotes a surge of strength and good mood;
• prevents the formation of blood clots, strengthens the walls of blood vessels;
• normalizes blood sugar levels;
• eliminates edema and removes cholesterol.

Which tomatoes are healthier: red or yellow

In some ways, yellow tomatoes are much healthier than red ones:

1. They contain retinol, which is beneficial for vision, bones, and skin.
2. Yellow tomatoes rarely provoke an allergic reaction.
3. This tomato variety contains fewer calories.
4. Yellow tomatoes contain more myocin, a substance that strengthens the walls of blood vessels.

Yellow tomatoes contain less vitamin C, but this can be considered an advantage. An excess of this vitamin can cause heartburn, so yellow tomatoes are less aggressive on the body.

Hair Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes are rich in vitamin K, which has been shown to be very beneficial for healthy hair, promoting hair growth and strength, and improving its appearance and texture.
2. Tomatoes contain important vitamins A, B, C and E, which are great stimulants for healthy hair and help prevent hair loss, give natural shine and help eliminate scalp odor and dandruff.

Eating 4 to 5 tomatoes a day will guarantee excellent hair health and shiny curls.
You can also use them as a natural conditioner:

• Apply some tomato pulp to your hair and let it sit for 15 minutes before rinsing off with cold water. Vitamin C treats dandruff, eczema, psoriasis and increases collagen levels for the proper development of skin tissues.
• If you have dry and itchy scalp, apply a mixture of tomato puree and regular oil. Wash off with cold water.
• If you are a swimmer, apply tomato juice to scalp and hair after every swim. This will reduce the chlorine damage to the tissues. Then wash off with shampoo and conditioner.

Is it okay to eat green tomatoes

Unripe vegetables contain too much solanine, a substance that can harm the body. Therefore, before use, such fruits must be blanched in several waters.

Important! Unripe tomatoes, even after heat treatment, can harm the body of pregnant and lactating women, children and the elderly.

Green tomatoes help with varicose veins, but you don't even have to eat them for that. Green tomatoes will also bring benefits as compresses. Tomatoes are cut into rings, applied to the areas of manifestation of varicose veins and fixed with cling film and bandage.

Application in dietetics and weight loss

It is known that the calorie level of tomatoes allows them to be included in almost any diet without any special restrictions. They are recommended for obese or normal weight, if the goal is to reduce or maintain it. The benefit of these foods is that you feel full for a long time after a meal. This is possible due to the low carbohydrate content with a large saturating volume. So tomatoes help maintain reasonable intervals between meals and protect the pancreas.

The secret of tomatoes is that they belong to the so-called negative calorie foods. It takes more energy to digest than can be obtained from the mouth-watering red pulp. In order to achieve the best effect, tomatoes in dietary food try not to undergo heat treatment in order to preserve as much nutrients and insoluble fiber as possible. The best solution for losing weight is preparing a variety of salads with the same "negative" companions - herbs, cabbage, cucumbers. Adding yogurt as a dressing will help extract the fat-soluble vitamins.

The healing properties of tomatoes

The vegetable is often used in traditional medicine and is useful for treating a number of diseases.

Against fungus

To neutralize pathogenic microscopic fungi, tomato juice from ripe fruits with a tablespoon of honey is useful. It should be taken several times a day, 200 ml before meals.

From cough

A mixture of a kilogram of tomatoes and 300 g of garlic and horseradish will help get rid of phlegm. You need to take such a remedy for 1 tbsp. l. before meals three times a day.

For wound healing

A paste of crushed fruits will help speed up the restoration of the skin. With regular application of such gruel, even purulent wounds heal faster.

How to lose weight on a tomato diet

As the name suggests, this diet is based on the addition of tomatoes in various forms to the daily diet. Tomatoes are high in water and fiber, so they quickly satisfy hunger. Although they do not have the magic of burning fat, they do contain many nutrients. The tomato diet is easy to follow, healthy and full of:

1. Use tomatoes in all of your meals. Chopped tomatoes can be paired with cottage cheese or simply drizzled with olive oil as a salad or breakfast. They can also be added to whole wheat pasta, brown rice, or other foods instead of using canned tomato paste, which often contains sugar.
2. Make a large batch of tomato sauce and store in the refrigerator. To make a drink, mix half a kilo of chopped tomatoes with 1 tablespoon of chopped onions, spices (pick whichever you prefer but most popular and combine basil to taste) and a tablespoon of olive oil. Put everything in a saucepan and cook over low heat for 15-20 minutes. No need to add water.
3. Switch to whole grain or rye bread. Instead of using a slice of cheese or butter, place a slice of tomato and some herbs on top of the bread. Or, you can add tomato slices in addition to other vegetables. The more vegetables you eat, the more fiber you eat.
4. Drink a cup of tomato juice in the morning or in the middle of the day when you feel hungry. thick and nutritious, it contains very few calories. You can add a slice of whole grain bread for an almost complete first course.
5. Remember to drink enough water. Water is essential for any diet because it flushes out toxins from the body, keeps you feeling full and fights hunger. Eight to ten glasses a day should be sufficient, but for every cup of coffee you drink, add another glass of water as caffeine dehydrates.

Features of the use of tomatoes for various diseases

Let's figure out whether it is possible to use a vegetable for various diseases and how to take it correctly.

With gastritis

With an exacerbation of the disease, you can only eat ripe and non-acidic fruits. The skin must be removed even during remission. It is better to combine the vegetable with other foods. With increased acidity, the consumption rate is no more than 100 g per day. With low acidity, it is allowed to eat up to 300 g of the product.

With pancreatitis

It is possible to include tomatoes in the diet of a patient with pancreatitis only in the absence of seizures. But even so, vegetables must be heat treated - steamed, dried or boiled, but not baked. Eating green and sour fruits is prohibited.

Contraindications

Before eating tomatoes, make sure you have no contraindications to eating them.

These include:

• allergy to the described vegetable;
• stones in the gallbladder;
• gastritis with high acidity;
• stomach ulcer;
• acute pancreatitis;
• arthritis;
• kidney pathology;
• gout;
• taking medications based on potassium.

Important! In the presence of serious pathologies, be sure to consult a doctor before introducing tomatoes into the diet.

Tomato face and hair masks

Tomatoes are also used in home cosmetology. Its health-giving properties make it suitable for skin and hair care.

The apple and tartaric acids in the vegetable are a good peeling agent. Tomato masks remove old layers of the epidermis, so that the skin acquires an even and healthy tone.

To prepare the mask, you need to knead the peeled fruit and add the egg yolk. The nourishing mask can be kept for 15 minutes and then washed off with warm water. For oily skin, the yolk can be replaced with protein.

A warning! Too frequent use of products will harm the cells - folic acid may be too aggressive for them.

The same composition can be used for hair, if desired, adding useful oils to it - castor, burdock, olive. The mask should be spread over its entire length and the head should be wrapped in a plastic bag and towel. It is recommended to wash it off after half an hour.

Features of the use of tomatoes in cosmetology

In addition to cooking, tomatoes are also used in the cosmetic field. The beneficial properties of a vegetable also affect its appearance. To a greater extent, tomatoes affect the skin: they are used for nutrition, toning, rejuvenating, strengthening the skin, improving the functioning of the sebaceous glands and narrowing the pores.

At home, they are used to make face masks. They work best when taken internally.

What can be cooked from tomatoes

In addition to eating fresh vegetables, they can be fried, boiled, baked. Tomatoes are included in mouth-watering soups, the most popular of which is the puree soup. Stuffed tomatoes will be an interesting and unusual dish. Tomatoes can be used to make thick sauces for dressing main courses. Freshly squeezed tomato juice will be helpful. For the winter, the fruits can be preserved.

Composition of tomatoes

The benefits and harms to the body are determined by the composition of these vegetables. Red tomatoes are especially useful, their composition is very generous. Tomatoes store useful substances such as:

• vitamins;
• folic acid;
• trace elements - iron, potassium, phosphorus;
• carbohydrates;
• cellulose.

The constant use of tomatoes in various forms in food is useful for both healthy and sick people. There can be a lot of dishes made from these vegetables: soups and various salads, tomato juice and sauce, stewed tomatoes in various recipes.

Why is tomato salad with cucumbers useful?

Fresh vegetable salad is useful primarily due to the high content of vitamins in both tomatoes and cucumbers. Regular use of such a salad will improve digestion, metabolism, and relieve swelling. You can add a special touch to the dish by adding onions and fresh herbs - this will make the salad even healthier. The calorie content of tomato and cucumber salad is no more than 17 kcal per 100 g, if you do not use fatty dressings. Such a low energy value allows you to eat a salad of cucumbers and tomatoes for breakfast, lunch and dinner without fear for your figure.

Benefits of tomatoes after processing

In processed form, tomatoes retain all their beneficial properties and are absorbed much better than fresh ones. After a little heat treatment, the fruits can be consumed even by those people who are contraindicated in fresh tomatoes due to the presence of certain health problems.

Dried

Tomatoes slow down the aging process and have a beneficial effect on brain activity, memory, thinking. They can improve mood and relieve stress, transform the daily menu and relieve swelling, act as a prophylactic agent for cancer and blood clots.

Baked (stewed)

Heat treatment allows for better assimilation of tomatoes, although their vitamin value is significantly reduced. Of course, stewing and baking affects the taste, but only in a positive way. The product becomes softer and softer, less acidic and still very healthy.

Pickled

The correct marinade allows you to retain more vitamins and minerals. It is important that the vinegar is completely absent from the recipe or replaced with citric acid. Vegetables prepared in this way differ significantly from fresh ones, but they have their own favorite taste and aroma.

Pickled tomatoes and the marinade itself contribute to the elimination of harmful substances from the body and have a positive effect on the body with excessive consumption of strong alcoholic beverages.

It is better to limit the amount of salted tomatoes in the diet due to the excess content of salt and sugar.

How to choose tomatoes on the market

When choosing tomatoes, it is important to focus on the following signs:

1. Color. The redder the fruit, the more ripe and healthier it is. The shade of the tomato should be even, without spots.
2. The size. Too large fruits are not more useful than small ones, so you need to focus on the average.
3. Smell. Quality vegetables have a non-acidic, pleasant and mouth-watering smell.
4. No damage. If the integrity of the fruit is violated at least in one place, such a vegetable is unsuitable for food. In the place of damage, bacteria accumulate that harm the body.

Quality vegetables should be firm to the touch, but not too dense or firm. Soft fruits are likely already starting to rot, so it's best not to take them.

Can tomatoes be children

Regular consumption of tomatoes will only benefit the child's body. However, you should not introduce them too early in the children's diet, not earlier than the onset of 10 months. This is due to the fact that the fruits have a bright color and can cause an allergic reaction.

They start feeding with a teaspoon, with the obligatory monitoring of the baby's condition. Even minor skin rashes and redness are a reason to postpone complementary feeding with tomatoes at a later date.

Harm of tomatoes and contraindications

The benefits of tomatoes are obvious, now it is important to find out what the harm of these vegetables is:

1. The main problem is the allergenicity of tomatoes. In some cases, allergy is a strict contraindication to eating a vegetable.
2. Oxalic acid in tomatoes negatively affects water-salt metabolism, therefore, people with diseases of the musculoskeletal system and kidneys should not be abused.
3. Due to the choleretic effect, tomatoes should be eaten with caution in patients with cholelithiasis.
4. Salted and pickled tomatoes should not be used for hypertension and other vascular and heart diseases.

Benefits and harm to the body

Choline, present in tomatoes, helps lower cholesterol and the formation of hemoglobin, enhances immunity and prevents liver disease. Moreover:

• potassium nourishes the heart;
• sodium maintains acid-base balance;
• phosphorus and calcium have a positive effect on bones;
• magnesium stimulates the excretion of bile, dilates blood vessels;
• manganese is involved in hematopoiesis and improves the functions of the gonads;
• copper stimulates protein metabolism;
• carotenoids are antioxidants and improve vision;
• vitamin C boosts immunity;
• B vitamins improve memory and vision, prevent joint pain, hair loss and cramps in the limbs;
• ascorbic acid is involved in metabolic processes, is an antioxidant;
• folic acid is essential for the development of the immune and circulatory system.

For better absorption of carotene, tomato should be consumed with sour cream or vegetable oil.

Expert opinion

Stanislav Pavlovich

Gardener with 17 years of experience and our expert

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Important! Boiled vegetables contain 1.5 times more carotenoids.All nutrients are preserved in salted tomatoes.

Men

Men, especially after 45 years of age, are susceptible to the formation of malignant tumors in the area of ​​the prostate and pancreas, rectum, and lungs. If you eat 300 g of tomatoes or drink 300 ml of tomato juice daily, the risk of these diseases can be minimized. Tomatoes improve erection, normalize the functioning of the gonads, and increase the quality of sperm. They also enhance potency and increase the production of testosterone, which is responsible for male strength.

See also the Eagle's Beak Tomato: characteristics of the variety and cultivation features

A common problem in men is excess weight, which can lead to diabetes, atherosclerosis, and edema. There is stiffness of movements, increased fatigue, shortness of breath, sweating, not to mention the appearance. The inclusion of low-calorie, fiber-rich tomatoes in the daily menu allows you to normalize the functioning of the digestive tract, timely cleanse the intestines and burn subcutaneous fat.

Advice! If instead of a sandwich during a snack, you eat a couple of these vegetables or drink a glass of tomato juice, then a feeling of satiety, weight loss and a beautiful complexion are ensured.

Pickled and salted tomatoes are not recommended for:

• gastritis;
• stomach ulcer;
• the presence of stones in the gallbladder.

Tomatoes cleanse the liver, which is especially important when fatty foods are present in the diet. In addition, the vegetable has a positive effect on the heart muscle, preventing the occurrence of tachycardia, arrhythmia, heart attack. They also remove toxins, heavy metals and resins, so tomatoes are indispensable for smokers and alcohol lovers.

Women

For women, tomatoes help to maintain youth and beauty, as they improve skin color, hair and nails, thanks to ascorbic acid. They also prevent breast cancer and osteoporosis during menopause. Serotonin improves mood, keeps blood vessels in good shape, and reduces the risk of varicose veins.

Tomatoes should not be included in the diet if:

• allergies;
• gout;
• disorders in the pancreas;
• kidney stone disease;
• gallstone disease;
• gastritis with high acidity.

Tomatoes are an ideal product for diet nutrition and fasting days for weight loss. In the latter case, you need to eat 1.5 kg of tomatoes without oil and salt per day. With a three-day diet, you need to eat as follows:

• breakfast - 1 large meaty tomato and 1 egg;
• snack - 200 ml of tomato juice;
• lunch - boiled breast;
• snack - a little cheese;
• dinner - cottage cheese and green salad.

If you drink a glass of tomato juice for 14 days before each meal, and consume only low-calorie foods (steamed fish, low-fat cottage cheese, vegetables, white chicken meat), the weight will decrease by 5-6 kg.

During pregnancy

Given the rich composition of tomatoes for pregnant women, they are certainly useful:

1. In this position, women often have constipation, while vegetables normalize the bowels.
2. The low calorie content of the product will not affect the weight.
3. Calcium is especially needed by the expectant mother for the formation of the baby's skeleton.
4. Potassium and magnesium - to eliminate seizures and improve heart function.
5. Vitamins will help prevent colds and strengthen the immune system.

In addition, tomatoes can reduce the manifestations of toxicosis in the form of nausea and vomiting.

Note! In salted and pickled form, tomatoes should be eaten in very limited quantities, since salt and vinegar are harmful to women who are expecting a baby, especially in the 2nd and 3rd trimester.

What is in a tomato

The benefits of tomatoes for the human body are due to the fact that they are a real storehouse of substances useful for humans that are valuable for the body:

• fresh tomato fruits contain a large amount of dietary fiber that a person needs for the proper functioning of the digestive tract,
• among the components in the vegetable there is a wide variety of organic acids, including succinic, ascorbic, oxalic, malic, folic, citric,
• Tomato contains many vitamins and minerals that ensure the normal functioning of all systems of the human body, including: vitamin K, sodium, iron, choline, fluorine, iodine, manganese, copper, retinol, phosphorus, zinc, lutein, calcium, nickel, selenium , bioty, potassium, magnesium, cobalt, beta-carotene,
• a useful vegetable contains a valuable flavonoid called quercetin,
• The benefits of tomatoes are also indicated by the fact that among the components they contain lycopene, important for the prevention of malignant neoplasms, which has antioxidant beneficial properties that neutralize free radicals, and also creates protection for our body from the effects of oxidative processes and takes control of cholesterol levels.

Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):

Lycopene is a carotenoid pigment that gives some fruits and vegetables (tomatoes, watermelons) their red color. Thermally processed tomatoes contain more lycopene than raw tomatoes. So, for example, raw tomatoes contain 5-50 mg / ka lycopene, and 500-1500 mg / kg in tomato paste.

The benefits and dangers of tomatoes cannot be said unequivocally, since vegetables cannot compete with those foods that are full of fats and proteins. The effectiveness of their beneficial effects increases when combined with other products. But their calorie content per 100 grams is only 20 kcal, because tomato fruits have useful properties for weight loss, because they are 93.5% water.

However, not every organism can cope with so many components, because doctors warn that tomatoes, the benefits and harms of which are due to individual characteristics, should be present in the diet only in the amount that is necessary.

The effect of tomatoes on women's health

The use of tomato for food makes women beautiful, as the skin color improves, the qualities of elasticity, smoothness, and firmness increase. In addition, tomatoes are useful for the metabolism of women, it is under their influence that weight is rapidly reduced, and the body takes on the correct shape.

The content of useful elements prevents the formation of oncological tumors and regulates the treatment of blood diseases.

Cooking tomatoes

Tomatoes have become an indispensable food product. It is customary to add them not only to simple salads, but also to cut them into soups, snacks and various side dishes. And also tomatoes are often used for winter harvesting. A huge amount of natural acids in the composition of the product makes it possible to carry out canning without the use of secondary additives. Depending on your desire, you can ferment tomatoes, make sauces and side dishes from them, marinate, squeeze.

As with any canned product, it is customary to use salt, sugar, vinegar and other spices for harvesting tomatoes. If you prepare the product according to the recipe, then the finished canned food will be stored for at least two years in a dark and cool place.

Pickled fruits

Pickled pink tomatoes do not differ much in their composition from fresh fruits. If you eat salted tomatoes in limited quantities, then it is possible to prevent the appearance of diseases of the pancreas and prostate... In addition, tomatoes prepared in a similar way have a positive effect on the heart, blood vessels and cervix.

The benefits of a fermented product can be explained by the presence of a number of useful substances in its composition. Particularly useful is such an element as quercetin, which has an anti-inflammatory effect in various diseases.It is imperative to include tomatoes in the diet if there is a lack of fiber and basic trace elements in the body.

Moderate consumption of barrel tomatoes for breakfast is allowed for people suffering from diabetes mellitus, as well as those who complain of problems in the functioning of the liver and gallbladder. With the help of fiber, tomatoes fight constipation, restoring the digestive process.

Frozen tomato in cooking

Frozen fruit no longer has as many useful components as natural. But even so, it remains much healthier than the chemically treated and store bought it during the winter season. Tomatoes are distinguished by their low calorie content, they can be added to your diet without fear. The main thing to remember is that tomatoes can provoke an unwanted allergic reaction.

It is not necessary to defrost frozen tomatoes before cooking, as they can simply turn into gruel. Whole frozen tomatoes can be used to make sauces and soups, and sliced ​​tomatoes can be used on pizzas.

Benefits for women

The tomato contains few calories - only 20 per hundred grams, which makes it an indispensable ingredient for many dietary meals that women include in their menu, wanting to lose weight and keep fit. This vegetable promotes a faster metabolism, removes harmful toxins from the body, which means it helps in the process of losing weight. It is this property that explains the fact that almost any diet contains tomato dishes.

Freshly squeezed tomato juice should be drunk to prevent anemia, which can develop in women due to severe monthly blood loss.

Tomatoes are also believed to help fight certain diseases of the cervix due to their vitamin E content.

The fair sex uses tomatoes not only in their favorite dishes, but also as an ingredient in home cosmetics. Tomato pulp contains many nutrients that help improve skin and smooth fine lines and wrinkles.

Personally, I am happy to make a face mask from fresh tomatoes. However, it must be remembered that tomatoes must be either fresh from the garden, or from a seller you trust - in vegetables grown with the use of nitrates, alas, there is little benefit.

Tomato masks help to improve the condition of all skin types. They minimize the harmful effects of sunlight, moisturize the epidermis, and also tighten pores and soothe inflammation.

Tomatoes also help with more serious skin problems, such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. Unripe, brown or even green tomatoes are especially effective in these cases, from which you can make a cream or compress yourself. Due to the beneficial effects of chopped tomatoes, the skin regenerates faster and the inflammation disappears.

A simple recipe for an effective mask for relieving facial irritation in case of sunburn:

• the pulp of one ripe tomato;
• 1 tablespoon sour cream;
• 1 egg yolk.

Thoroughly chop the tomato pulp with a fork and mix with the other ingredients. Apply the slurry to your face and hold for 20-30 minutes, and then gently rinse with warm water.

Tomatoes during pregnancy

There are nuances when eating tomatoes during pregnancy.

It is believed that these vegetables help to compensate a woman for the lack of vitamins and substances that she may lack while carrying a child. But at the same time, doctors recommend using only fresh fruits obtained without the use of pesticides. Try to choose vegetables grown outdoors and not buy greenhouse-grown vegetables.

The ideal tomato dish for a pregnant woman is a salad of fresh and ripe tomatoes, seasoned with extra virgin olive oil.

But it is better to refuse salted vegetables, various sauces based on them, as well as other types of thermally processed tomato pulp - they may contain substances harmful to the child's mother.

Which tomatoes are healthier

The result and effectiveness of activating their beneficial properties directly depends on the rules for eating tomato fruits.

Combination

Tomatoes are best consumed with unrefined oils

Nutritionists recommend eating tomatoes in combination with vegetable fats, which help to fully assimilate the phytonutrienes they contain. Therefore, doctors advise to fill fresh vegetables with unrefined oil or oils that have passed the first cold pressing.

Heat treatment

Scientists have noticed that the greater effectiveness of the usefulness of tomatoes for human health is obtained after heat treatment, which activates the activity of lycopene in boiled vegetables and increases its concentration level. Therefore, among the recommended products are tomato paste, juices and sauces prepared at home.

Varieties

Tomato variety can also play a role in determining the health benefits of vegetables. So, different varieties are different in their biochemical composition, and the largest amount of carotonoids is present not in red, but in orange and yellow fruits.

It should be remembered that unripe green tomatoes contain, albeit in small doses, a poisonous component - solanine. For this reason, it is recommended to eat green fruits after heat treatment or in canned form.

Tatiana Orlova (Candidate of Agricultural Sciences):

Yellow and orange varieties of tomatoes are considered more beneficial for the body. They contain beta-carotene, which protects against malignant tumors and supports heart function. Such tomatoes do not cause allergic reactions like red varieties and hybrids.

Beneficial features

The benefits of tomatoes are associated with their positive effect on the human body. When consumed in moderation, fresh and cooked, they have a therapeutic effect and allow you to cope with a number of diseases.

The beneficial properties of tomatoes are:

• improving digestion;
• anti-sclerotic and anti-rheumatic action;
• improving the work of the cardiovascular system;
• increased immunity;
• removal of edema;
• weight loss;
• prevention of anemia;
• prevention of thrombus formation;
• removal of toxins from the body;
• cancer prevention;
• reducing the inflammatory process;
• treatment of varicose veins;
• removal of salts and normalization of salt balance;
• removal of a depressive state;
• prevention of diseases of the nervous system
• prevention of osteoporosis;
• prevention of vision problems.

The list of useful properties of tomatoes is very wide and varied. It was not for nothing that they used to be called golden apples. Due to its low calorie content, ripe fruits help people cope with excess weight. Tomatoes and tomato juice are one of the most common foods in diets.

The antioxidant properties of tomatoes help protect not only individual systems, but the entire body as a whole. With the correct use of fresh tomatoes, a general improvement in appearance and well-being is noted.

Potential harm from vegetables

Regardless of the fact that tomato fruits contain many components beneficial to human health that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of internal organs and systems, harm from tomatoes when the recommended amount is exceeded can lead to poor health and exacerbation of existing diseases.

With diseases of the gastrointestinal tract

With the existing deviations in the work of the gastric and intestinal tracts, when pathological changes in the organs included in these systems are recorded, the harm from tomatoes for health is significant, and their use is contraindicated.In particular, it is forbidden to include vegetables in the diet for those persons who have been diagnosed with increased acidity of the stomach, or have been found to have disorders in the functioning of the renal system.

At the stages of exacerbation of gastritis and ulcers of the stomach and pancreas, attacks of pancreatitis and urolithiasis of the kidneys, the harm from tomatoes to health increases, therefore they should be excluded from the sick person from the diet until the special permission of the doctor.

With a tendency to allergies

Tomato fruits can cause allergic reactions, especially red tomato varieties. For this reason, the amount of vegetables consumed should be regulated in pregnant and lactating women, with due care, the fruits are included in the diet of children who are prone to allergies.

Benefits for men

It's not just women who can use tomatoes for their health benefits. This fruit is no less effective for men.

It is believed that the regular presence of tomatoes on the menu not only has a good effect on the general health and mood of the stronger sex, but also improves the condition of the prostate gland, acting as an effective prevention of cancer.

Tomatoes will not be superfluous to stabilize sexual activity and reproductive function: vitamins A and E contained in vegetables will help.

Men who exercise regularly will appreciate the beneficial properties of fresh tomato juice, which helps to synthesize protein in the body.

Those who work in hazardous industries, live in a large metropolis or lead an unhealthy lifestyle will benefit from the vitamin C contained in tomatoes: it increases the body's natural defenses and removes toxins.

It is believed that both fresh and sun-dried tomatoes are good for the male body. If you regularly use fruits prepared in this way for food, you can not only enhance sexual potency, but also improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. You can find many interesting recipes for tomato preparations on our website.