Tomatoes are the most abundant source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to a variety of health benefits, including a lower risk of heart disease and cancer. Below are the 5 health benefits of tomatoes.
1. Tomatoes may help to reduce risk of prostate cancer
According to one study, men who consume more than 10 portions of tomatoes per week have an 18% lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men worldwide, with higher rates in developed countries, which some health experts attribute to a Westernized lifestyle and diet.
The lifestyle and diets of 1,806 men between the ages of 50 and 69 who had prostate cancer were examined and compared to 12,005 cancer-free men to see if adhering to lifestyle and dietary recommendations reduces prostate cancer risk.
The study developed a ‘dietary index’ for prostate cancer that consisted of dietary components, calcium, selenium, and lycopene-rich foods, which have been associated with prostate cancer. Men with an optimal intake of the 3 dietary components had a reduced prostate cancer risk.
Tomatoes and tomato products like baked beans and tomato juice provided the most benefit, with an 18% decrease in risk found in men eating over 10 portions every week.
This is believed to be a result of an antioxidant found in tomatoes known as lycopene, which helps fight off toxins that can lead to cell and DNA damage.
2. Tomatoes may help to reduce the risk of stroke
According to research, the consumption of tomatoes as well as tomato-based products is linked to a reduced risk of stroke. Tomatoes are an excellent source of the antioxidant lycopene.
The study discovered that individuals having the highest blood levels of lycopene were 55% less likely to experience a stroke compared to individuals with the lowest blood levels of lycopene.
3. Tomatoes may help to reduce risk of breast cancer
According to a study, a tomato-rich diet could help in protecting postmenopausal women at risk from breast cancer. Breast cancer risk increases in postmenopausal women as their body mass index increases.
The study discovered consuming a diet high in tomatoes positively impacted the hormone levels that play a part in the regulation of sugar and fat metabolism.
4. Tomatoes may help to prevent vascular diseases
Researchers have discovered that a nutrient found in tomatoes may prevent the start of vascular diseases. The study shows that the compound 9-oxo-octadecadienoic found in tomatoes has anti-dyslipidemic properties.
The researchers focused on extracts that deal with dyslipidemia, a condition that is due to an imbalance of lipids in the bloodstream, such as cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol.
Dyslipidemia on its own is normally symptomless; it can however result in symptomatic vascular diseases like cirrhosis and arteriosclerosis. To be able to prevent these diseases it’s necessary to prevent an increase in the accumulation of lipids.
Tomatoes happen to be known to contain several compounds good for health. For this study, 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid was examined for its potential anti-dyslipidemia effects.
The compound was found to enhance the oxidation of fatty acids and contribute to the regulation of hepatic lipid metabolism. These results indicate that 9-oxo-octadecadienoic acid has anti-dyslipidemia properties and can consequently help in preventing vascular diseases.
Finding a compound that helps the prevention of obesity-related chronic diseases in food products is helpful in dealing with these diseases. It means that the tomato allows individuals to easily deal with the start of dyslipidemia through their daily diet.
5. Tomatoes may help to protect the skin against sun damage
According to a study, the consumption of tomato paste could provide protection against sunburn and skin aging induced by the sun.
Besides the significant reduction in sunburn, the level of the skin’s procollagen was significantly boosted in the tomato diet group. Procollagen is a molecule providing skin structure its and loss of this molecule contributes to lack of elasticity and aging of the skin. The quantities of tomato the group was consuming were comparable to if consuming lots of tomato-based meals.
Many of the UV light’s harmful effects are caused by the unwanted production of molecules called reactive oxygen species which can potentially damage important skin structures. Sun damage from UV light exposure can include skin cancer and premature wrinkles.
The key skin-saving property of the tomato is a potent antioxidant known as ‘lycopene’, which can neutralize or ‘quench’ the harmful molecules. Lycopene is the bright red pigment found in several red vegetables and fruits, but cooked tomatoes have the highest levels. There is a high concentration of cooked tomatoes in tomato paste, which makes it an excellent source of lycopene.
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