Tomatoes are very healthy and can reduce the risk of many diseases. (Image: Daniel Ernst/stock.adobe.com)
Why a healthy diet should include tomatoes
Eating tomatoes can protect against a variety of diseases. For example, consumption reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis and many types of cancer. Even tomato ketchup and sauce can help prevent cancer.
Even if many people think that the potato is the most popular vegetable in Germany, this is a fallacy. In reality it is most popular vegetables in this country the tomato. Most people are unaware of the health benefits it offers.
Tomatoes are good for health
Tomatoes are eaten primarily for their taste, but eating them also has a variety of health benefits that have been backed up by studies.
Various research papers have examined how the consumption of tomatoes affects different people aspects of health affects and whether tomatoes contribute to people less certain diseases develop.
Tomatoes protect against cancer
One in the English-language journal “Journal of Pharmacognosy and PhytochemistryFor example, a published study describes the health benefits of consuming tomatoes and various tomato-derived products. In particular, the protective effect before cancers highlighted.
If people consume tomatoes regularly, it is with one lower risk linked to a variety of cancers. This includes, for example, cancers of the lung, prostate, stomach, cervix, breast, mouth, intestine, esophagus and pancreas, the researchers report.
Some of the studies evaluated also indicated that tomatoes together should be eaten with garlic so that the cancer-preventing effect unfolds.
What role does lycopene play in protecting against cancer?
Although it is not known exactly what the protective effect of tomatoes against cancer is due to, experts assume that Lycopene and some bioflavonoids are responsible for the anti-cancer effect. Lycopene is a strong one antioxidantwhich after cooking and processing (e.g. canning) a higher bioavailability having.
The researchers further report that not only the consumption of raw tomatoes protects against cancer, but also cooked or processed tomato products such as ketchup and sauces contribute effectively to protection.
Tomatoes support the detoxification of the body
In addition to cancer prevention, the tomato has other beneficial effects. A good example of this is their effect on the liver. This seems to be contained in tomatoes in particular Chlor and sulfur an important role in the process of detoxification of the body to play.
So it is known that natural Chlor the liver and its function Filtering and detoxification stimulated by waste products in the body. In addition, the one contained in tomatoes protects sulfur the liver before cirrhosis.
Tomatoes protect against cardiovascular diseases
Another benefit of consuming tomatoes is that the contained Lycopene the risk of cardiovascular diseases reduced and hardening of the arteries counteracts what also to Lowering blood pressure can contribute (see herbal active ingredient from tomatoes lowers blood pressure).
Tomatoes protect blood vessels from clogging
Red, ripe tomatoes also contain many antioxidants. The contained vitamin E and lycopene effectively prevent the so-called LDL-Oxidation. Since oxidized LDL particles often attach themselves to the vessel walls and thus promote constriction, vitamin E and lycopene can also blockages of the blood vessels prevent.
Last but not least, tomatoes encourage a quick exchange of skin cellscan when healing one sunburn help and before protect fatigue.
Research on tomatoes with a broader perspective
In another research paper published in the “American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine“ was published, the team involved also points to a reduced risk for certain types of Krebs with regular consumption of tomatoes and tomato products.
The experts go on to explain that studies on tomato consumption and cancer risk initially focused on lycopene and its antioxidant effects. In more recent research, however, protective mechanisms such as antithrombotische and anti-inflammatory functions of the whole tomato.
A healthier diet thanks to more vegetables
total are tomatoes and tomato products extremely popular and can also help the total consumption of vegetables increase for a healthier diet. With processed tomato products, however, the sugar content should be considered, as added sugar can significantly reduce the health benefits and even be harmful in excess. (as)