Dietary advantages
An 80g serving of tomatoes (uncooked) gives:
11 Kcal / 49 KJ
0.4g Protein
0.1g Fats
2.4g Carbohydrates
0.8g Fibre
178mg Potassium
279mcg Carotene
18mg Vitamin C
An 80g serving counts as one in every of your five-a-day – that’s roughly one tomato or 7 cherry tomatoes.
Uncover extra in our infographic: What counts as five-a-day?
Prime 5 well being advantages
1. Could maintain your coronary heart wholesome
An 80g serving of tomatoes gives about 5% of an grownup’s every day potassium wants. Consuming meals wealthy in potassium is related to decrease charges of stroke and could also be related to decrease charges of coronary heart illness.
Tomatoes additionally include a compound referred to as lycopene, which provides them their purple color, there’s rising analysis into lycopene and its well being properties together with its potential for lowering the chance of heart problems.
2. Could defend the eyes
Tomatoes include a gaggle of phytochemicals referred to as carotenoids, these embrace lycopene, lutein and beta-carotene. These compounds are essential to keep up eye well being and should defend in opposition to age-related macular degeneration and different eye ailments.
3. Could help wholesome pores and skin
The carotenoids present in vegetation, together with tomatoes, could assist forestall UV injury in people. A 2006 research discovered that after a 10-12 week research there was a lower in sensitivity on account of growing dietary carotenoids. Nevertheless, this isn’t to say you gained’t burn in the event you eat a number of tomatoes – it’s nonetheless essential to observe tips and watch out within the solar to keep away from UV injury.
Learn the NHS’s solar security suggestions for extra data.
Analysis means that processing and cooking tomatoes can enhance their dietary worth, particularly, their antioxidant properties and our skill to entry their lycopene compounds. Consuming tomatoes along-with a supply of fats corresponding to an olive oil dressing helps us take in these protecting carotenoids. It’s additionally price allowing for that a lot of the carotenoid content material is discovered within the pores and skin of the fruit so consuming them entire will be probably the most helpful
4. Could help blood clotting and wound therapeutic
Tomatoes are a superb supply of vitamin Ok which is critical for blood clotting and wound therapeutic. There may be additionally growing proof that vitamin Ok could also be of profit in bone and cardiovascular well being too.
The NHS recommends 1 mcg of vitamin Ok per kg of physique weight, most individuals ought to be capable of obtain this by consuming a assorted and balanced eating regimen.
5. Could assist scale back menopausal signs
A 2015 research by the Vitamin Journal discovered that tomato juice consumption appeared to assist alleviate some menopausal signs corresponding to nervousness, resting vitality expenditure and coronary heart fee. This research was carried out on 95 girls aged 40-60 years outdated who consumed 200ml of unsalted tomato juice, twice every day, for eight weeks. Whereas this was a small trial, the outcomes are encouraging and warrant additional analysis.
Are tomatoes protected for everybody?
It is broadly thought {that a} compound within the nightshade household of fruit and veggies, referred to as solanine, could worsen arthritic circumstances and joint ache. Nevertheless, thus far, there isn’t any analysis to help this supposition with proof being anecdotal solely.
Allergy to tomatoes are uncommon however in case you are allergic you’re prone to react to different vegetation of the nightshade household together with aubergine and potato.
If you’re on sure remedy, corresponding to beta blockers for hypertension, it is best to observe the recommendation and steering of your GP or healthcare practitioner.
You probably have considerations a few present well being situation or you’re on prescribed remedy examine together with your GP or registered dietician earlier than making any vital dietary modifications.
Take pleasure in this? Now strive…
Prime 5 well being advantages of aubergines
Prime 5 well being advantages of avocado
Final tomato salsa
Traditional roast tomatoes
Creamy tomato risotto
Spaghetti with smoky tomato & seafood sauce
Extra wholesome tomato recipes
This text was final reviewed on 22 July 2021 by Kerry Torrens.
Nicola Shubrook is a dietary therapist and works with each personal shoppers and the company sector. She is an accredited member of the British Affiliation for Utilized Vitamin and Dietary Remedy (BANT) and the Complementary & Pure Healthcare Council (CNHC). Discover out extra at urbanwellness.co.uk.
All well being content material on bbcgoodfood.com is supplied for common data solely, and shouldn’t be handled as an alternative choice to the medical recommendation of your personal physician or every other healthcare skilled. You probably have any considerations about your common well being, it is best to contact your native healthcare supplier. See our web site phrases and circumstances for extra data.
