The most commonly heard benefit of tomatoes is maintaining eye health. In fact, this fruit that is often thought of as a vegetable also has various other health benefits, such as controlling blood sugar levels and even preventing cancer.
There are various types of tomatoes cultivated in Indonesia. Each type of tomato generally has a different size, color, and taste. This fruit can be consumed in several ways, such as consumed directly, processed into juice, or as a mixture of cooking ingredients. The benefits of tomatoes come from their various contents which are rich in nutrients. One tomato generally contains 16 calories, 0.8 grams of protein, 3.5 grams of carbohydrates, and 0.2 grams of fat. In addition, tomatoes also contain vitamins and minerals, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, folate, and potassium. This fruit also contains various antioxidants, such as lycopene, lutein, and zeaxanthin.
Various Health Benefits of Tomatoes
The benefits of tomatoes can be obtained by consuming this fruit regularly. Here are the various benefits:
- Maintaining eye health
The lutein and zeaxanthin content in tomatoes is good nutrition for maintaining eye health. These two antioxidants are two forms of vitamin A that are known to prevent eye damage due to aging, such as macular degeneration. Lutein and zeaxanthin are also known to prevent eye damage from blue light from cell phones and computers.
- Lowering and controlling blood pressure
Tomatoes are useful for lowering blood pressure. This is thanks to the potassium content in this red fruit. Potassium is known to reduce sodium levels that can increase blood pressure. Therefore, tomatoes are often used as healthy snacks or mixed into various dishes for people with high blood pressure.
- Maintaining heart and blood vessel health
When blood pressure is well controlled, heart and blood vessel health will also be maintained. Well, this is the reason why tomatoes can maintain heart and blood vessel health. However, not only that, the lutein and lycopene content in tomatoes is also known to lower bad cholesterol (LDL) levels which will ultimately reduce the risk of narrowing and blockage in blood vessels. The effects of lutein and lycopene make tomatoes one of the good foods to prevent heart disease and stroke.
- Prevent premature aging of the skin
Tomatoes contain vitamin C. Vitamin C is known to stimulate the formation of collagen which can prevent the appearance of signs of premature aging, such as fine lines and wrinkles. In addition to vitamin C, the carotenoid and lycopene content in tomatoes can also prevent a decrease in collagen production in the body.
- Controlling blood sugar levels
Tomatoes are a good source of fiber to lower and control blood sugar levels in the body after eating. The benefits of tomatoes make them one of the foods with a low glycemic index that is good for people with diabetes. Even so, the benefits of tomatoes for diabetes still require further study.
- Smooth digestion
Not only good for controlling blood sugar levels, the fiber and water content in tomatoes is also useful for smoothing the digestive tract. Fiber is known to maintain digestive health and prevent constipation.
- Stabilizes mood
Tomatoes are a good source of folate and alpha-lipoic acid to fight depression. The folate content is believed to prevent excess homocysteine amino acids that can reduce the production of important hormones, such as serotonin and dopamine. Both hormones can control mood. Therefore, tomatoes are good to consume to stabilize mood, especially for people with depression.
- Lose weight
Tomatoes are a fruit that is low in calories, carbohydrates, and fat. Therefore, the benefits of tomatoes can be used to lose weight. This is because the various nutritional contents in tomatoes can meet nutritional needs when dieting.
- Strengthening the Body’s Immunity
Thanks to the content of vitamin C and beta carotene, tomatoes can improve the body’s immune system. The benefits of tomatoes come from the antioxidant properties found in vitamin C and beta carotene so that they can strengthen the body’s immunity.
- Increase fertility
The next benefit of tomatoes is to increase fertility. There is research that states that tomato juice can increase sperm motility or movement. In addition, the lycopene content in tomatoes can also reduce the risk of damage to sperm.
- Inhibits the growth of cancer cells
Tomatoes are believed to be able to inhibit the growth and spread of several types of cancer, such as prostate cancer, lung cancer, and stomach cancer. This is thanks to the lycopene and carotenoid content which have antioxidant effects. Antioxidants have the ability to inhibit the effects of exposure to free radicals. If exposed in the long term, free radicals will damage tissue and even increase the risk of cancer. Not only that, carotenoids that give tomatoes their natural color are believed to be able to inhibit the spread of breast cancer. However, further research is still needed to confirm the benefits of these tomatoes.
In addition to storing the various benefits above, tomatoes are also good to consume to overcome the bitter taste on the tongue and mouth. Tomatoes are also one of the types of fruit that contain iron, so they are good to consume to prevent anemia.
Those are the various health benefits of tomatoes that you can get. Although some of the claims of tomato benefits still require further research, don’t hesitate to consume them and add tomatoes to your daily menu.
Tomatoes are generally safe to consume and rarely cause allergies. However, because tomatoes are acidic, it is best to limit your consumption of tomatoes and tomato products, especially if you suffer from stomach ulcers. If you have a history of certain medical conditions and are hesitant to consume tomatoes, you can consult a doctor first. Later, the doctor will provide the amount of tomato intake that suits your health condition and needs.
