What are the benefits of tomatoes for humans - 10 proven properties

Tomatoes are very popular in our country, although they appeared in Russia only in the 18th century. Until this time, the plant was considered decorative. The homeland of this crop is South America, where it is still found growing wild to this day.

Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family. They have different shapes and sizes, are consumed mainly raw, but they can also be fried and stewed.

An interesting fact is that after heat treatment, the beneficial properties of tomatoes only increase.

Composition and calorie content

Tomatoes have very few calories - 21. They contain little fat, and the carbohydrates they contain are easily absorbed by the human body.

Tomatoes are low in sugar, so they can be consumed even if you have diabetes.

The fruits contain vitamins C, PP and AA. Tomatoes contain the most useful micro- and macroelements for humans: iron, potassium, zinc, magnesium, thiamine, calcium and others. The fruits contain a lot of organic acids, dietary fiber, flavonoids and even contain lycopene, which prevents cancer.

History of the vegetable

An early mention of the tomato appears in a work entitled General History of the Affairs of New Spain (1547–1577). Bernardino de Sahagún described the healing properties of this plant, based on data from the Aztecs (it treated eye sores in adults and runny nose in newborns).

In the middle of the 16th century (even then they knew a lot about the benefits and harms of vegetables), the tomato was brought to Spain and Portugal. From there it went to Italy, France and other European countries. The first recipe using this plant was published in a cookbook in 1692.

In the 18th century, tomatoes began to be cultivated in Russia as an ornamental plant. Soon it received the status of a food crop thanks to the efforts of the scientist A. T. Bolotov.

For a long time, the vegetable was considered unfit for consumption and even poisonous. An American textbook described a case of how one of the cooks tried to poison George Washington with a tomato.

What are the benefits of tomatoes?

Previously, tomatoes were called the golden apple. This is due to the fact that the list of beneficial properties of fruits is very wide. The benefits of tomatoes are as follows:

• stimulate the digestive tract;
• help increase the body's defenses;
• relieve symptoms of swelling;
• promote weight loss;
• reduce the manifestations of the inflammatory process;
• help improve the condition of varicose veins;
• are a prophylactic against the risk of blood clots;
• improve depression.

Tomatoes have excellent antioxidant properties, that is, they help protect the body from the harmful effects of toxins and an unfavorable environment.

Benefits for men

Not only women can use tomatoes to benefit their health. 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 well-being 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 both for stabilizing sexual activity and reproductive function: vitamins A and E contained in vegetables will help with this.

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

Those who work in hazardous industries, live in a large metropolis, or lead a less than healthy 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 eat fruits prepared in this way, you can not only increase sexual potency, but also improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract. You can find many interesting recipes for tomato preparations on our website.

Can children eat tomatoes?

Regular consumption of tomatoes will only benefit the child’s body. However, you should not introduce them too early into the children's diet, no earlier than 10 months. This is due to the fact that the fruits are brightly colored and can cause an allergic reaction.

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

Features of use

Given the characteristics of the product and its composition, some people with health problems should carefully consider including it in their diet. It is especially important to approach nutrition in case of liver disease, pancreatitis, diabetes, hypertension and excess weight. In these cases, it is necessary to understand what benefits and harm tomatoes can cause and whether they can be eaten at all.

For diabetics

Recommendations for consuming or excluding tomatoes from the diet of diabetics depend on the type of disease.

• In type 1 , this vegetable will be useful, since patients have a lack of insulin and require the consumption of carbohydrates to restore balance. However, in this case you should not eat more than 300 g of tomatoes per day.
• Type 2 involves eating only fresh tomatoes in minimal quantities. The consumption rate should be calculated by each individual patient, based on their individual daily caloric intake.

Important! Canned tomatoes are strictly prohibited for type 2 diabetes.

For hypertension

For hypertension, it is important to eat vegetables, as they improve the functioning of the human cardiovascular system and normalize circulatory functions. For this reason, a hypertensive person’s diet should contain more than 250 g of tomatoes per day. They must be consumed fresh. Canned tomatoes should be avoided, since pickles and pickled vegetables are only harmful at high blood pressure.

For the liver

During normal functioning of the liver, tomatoes are involved in cleansing the organ. If you have a history of diseases associated with liver dysfunction, you need to approach the use of the product wisely. To remove stones from the liver ducts, you need to eat 1 tomato before lunch. For cirrhosis, you can eat them fresh, but it is especially useful to drink freshly prepared tomato juice.

You should also exclude salted and canned vegetables and juices from them.

For the pancreas

The vegetable in question disrupts the secretory functions of the stomach and pancreas. Therefore, in acute pancreatitis it should be removed from the diet. If, with chronic pancreatitis, the doctor notes the onset of stable remission, the vegetable can be eaten in reasonable doses. In this case, it is better to get rid of the skin, thoroughly chop and heat treat the tomato.

If desired, tomatoes can be grown at home, as well as on the balcony.

When losing weight

Due to their extremely low calorie content, tomatoes are considered an excellent option for a weight loss diet. In addition to its low energy value, this product is rich in fiber, which helps remove excess from the digestive tract. Since the vegetable contains mainly carbohydrates, it is best consumed for breakfast or lunch. Specific standards depend on the type of diet, daily calorie intake and other individual factors.

The use of tomatoes in cosmetology

As a cosmetic product, tomatoes are suitable for any skin type. Tomato masks have a cleansing and rejuvenating effect, help make the skin more elastic and protect it from the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation. Tomatoes improve skin texture and reduce oily skin.

Unripe green fruits are used to eliminate manifestations of eczema, ichthyosis and psoriasis. Green tomato masks help resolve keloids and scars.

Folk recipes

When coughing.

Grind 900 g of fresh tomatoes using a meat grinder, add 1 head of garlic and 100 g of horseradish roots. Mix all ingredients. Take 20 g of the product 3 times a day 20 minutes before meals. Store folk medicine in the refrigerator.

For obesity.

Take tomato juice in an amount of 150 ml 3 times a day 15 minutes before meals.

Eat vegetable salads that contain 200–300 g of fresh tomatoes.

In case of metabolic disorders.

Grind 5 cloves of garlic and 900 g of fresh tomatoes using a meat grinder. Add 300 g of sour apples, 100 g of chopped pepper (sweet) to the ingredients. Mix all ingredients. Take 2 tbsp. l. means 20 minutes before meals 3 times a day.

For liver diseases.

Pour 30 ml of honey into 200 g of freshly squeezed tomato juice. Mix all ingredients. Take the product in an amount of 100 ml 3 times a day.

Mix the brine of tomato juice and sauerkraut in equal proportions (100 ml each). Take 1/3 cup after meals 3 times a day.

When you lose strength.

Drink 200 ml of freshly squeezed juice mixed with 10 g of chopped dill and parsley for breakfast.

For rough skin.

Make compresses from vegetable pulp on problem areas.

For acne, pigmentation.

Rub the skin with a slice of fresh tomato.

For varicose veins.

Apply a paste made from fresh tomatoes to the affected areas. Remove the product after the skin has been pinched and apply sour cream on it, moving upward from the foot.

For purulent wounds, boils, erysipelas, bedsores and dry eczema.

Apply pulp from fresh fruits to damaged areas 2-3 times a day.

For scabies.

Fry 2 parts fresh tomatoes in 1 part oil. Apply the product to the affected areas 1-2 times a day.

How to select and store

When choosing tomatoes, pay attention to the density of the fruit structure. They must not have any damage or signs of deterioration. The skin should be bright and smooth.

Ideally, it is better to store tomatoes at room temperature, so they do not lose their flavor. However, the fruits should not be exposed to direct sunlight. If the fruits are unripe, then it is better to store them in the refrigerator, in a paper bag. To speed up the ripening process, it is better to store the fruits together with apples.

If you purchased tasteless fruits, you can bake them in the oven.

It is better to give preference to ground tomatoes, although the seller is unlikely to tell the truth. But in July and August there is no need to worry about this; more than 90% of them during this period have already been grown not in a greenhouse, but in the ground.

Answers to frequently asked questions

Below are the most frequently asked questions regarding the use of tomatoes.

1. Which varieties should you prefer? There are over 1,300 varieties and hybrids of tomatoes in the world. The easiest way to classify them is by color. There are red, green (the flesh resembles kiwi in appearance and has a sourish taste), black (they have a color close to black, they were bred by scientists from the USSR in the mid-20th century), pink, orange and yellow tomatoes. All red varieties of tomatoes (Tolstoy F1, King of Giants, etc.) are considered the most valuable. And cherry tomatoes are perhaps the healthiest.
2. What is healthier: cucumbers or tomatoes? Both vegetables have valuable composition and have a positive effect on human health. If you look at them from a nutritional point of view, then eating cucumbers is preferable, since they have lower calorie content and contain more water and fiber. But you don’t have to limit yourself to just one thing. For example, a salad of tomatoes, cucumbers and sour cream will bring tangible benefits. It is recommended to give preference to sour cream instead of mayonnaise when preparing salads.
3. How does heat treatment affect them? Any heat treatment reduces the concentration of biologically active substances. However, stewed, boiled and baked tomatoes retain most of their medicinal properties. But it’s better to avoid fried tomatoes.
4. Do I need to peel the peel? Tomato peels are not harmful, but rather beneficial for the body. If you are absolutely sure that there is no use of chemicals during the growing process, tomatoes can be consumed with the skin on.
5. Properties of tomato juice. It has a high content of folic acid, vitamin A and potassium. In addition, the calorie content of juice is significantly lower compared to whole fruits. It is better to take freshly squeezed juice rather than canned juice.
6. What is the best way to store them for the winter? In pickled, canned and salted tomatoes there are practically no nutrients valuable for the body, but in dried or sun-dried tomatoes, on the contrary, their concentration increases. Dried fruits are used in folk medicine to lower blood pressure, increase visual acuity and slow down aging.
7. Application of tops. Tomato leaves are not used in folk and evidence-based medicine, but the tops are used to prepare compost, ash, and fertilizers.

Other plant compounds

The levels of vitamins and plant compounds in tomatoes can vary greatly depending on the variety and sampling period (, ,).

The main plant compounds in tomatoes are:

• Lycopene . A red pigment and antioxidant that has been extensively studied for its health benefits ().
• Beta-carotene . An antioxidant that often gives foods a yellow or orange tint. It is converted into vitamin A in your body.
• Naringenin . In a study on mice, this flavonoid found in tomato peels was found to reduce inflammation and protect against various diseases ().
• Chlorogenic acid . A powerful antioxidant compound that can lower blood pressure in people with elevated levels (, ).

Chlorophylls and carotenoids such as lycopene are responsible for the rich color of tomatoes.

When the ripening process begins, chlorophyll (green) is broken down and carotenoids (red) are synthesized (,).

Lycopene

Lycopene, the most abundant carotenoid in ripened tomatoes, is especially noteworthy when it comes to the fruit's plant compounds.

It is found in the highest concentrations in the peel (,).

As a general rule, the redder the tomato, the more lycopene it contains ().

Tomato products—such as ketchup, tomato juice, tomato paste, and tomato sauces—are the richest dietary sources of lycopene in the Western diet, providing more than 80% of dietary lycopene (, ).

The amount of lycopene in processed tomato products is often much higher than in fresh tomatoes (, ).

For example, ketchup boasts 10–14 mg of lycopene per 100 grams, while one small fresh tomato (100 grams) contains only 1–8 mg ().

However, keep in mind that ketchup is often consumed in very small quantities. Thus, increasing your lycopene intake can be easier by eating unprocessed tomatoes, which also contain much less sugar than ketchup.

The absorption of lycopene can be greatly affected by other foods in your diet. Consuming this plant compound with a fat source can increase its absorption rate by four times ().

However, not everyone absorbs lycopene at the same rate ().

Although processed tomato products contain more lycopene, it is still recommended to consume fresh, whole tomatoes whenever possible.

Conclusion:

Lycopene is one of the most abundant plant compounds in tomatoes. It is found in the highest concentrations in tomato products such as ketchup, juice, tomato paste and sauce.