by Fruits and vegetables should not be missing from anyone’s diet. The nutrients, vitamins and minerals that these foods provide are crucial to prevent the development of diseases, according to the World Health Organization, which advises eating at least 400 grams of them daily.
In the long list of alternatives are tomatoes, considered a fruit, despite the fact that they are normally used as a vegetable. This product provides the body with diuretic, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, which help prevent the development of diseases such as prostate cancer, myocardial infarction and osteoporosis, according to information from the health and well-being portal, Tua Saúde.
This fruit is rich in vitamins known as antioxidants; that is, C, E and A, the latter in the form of the beta-carotene precursor. Consuming 200 grams of this fruit covers 80% of the daily needs for vitamin C, 27% for A and 13% for vitamin E, according to information from the Cuerpo Mente portal. All three prevent tissue degeneration, premature aging and contribute to the protection of the immune system.
ally of the heart
Tomatoes are a good source of nutrients that protect veins and arteries, as well as neutralize the action of free radicals.according to a magazine publication better with health, written by Yamila Papa Painter. This is due to its large amounts of lycopene, which reduces the risk of developing obstructions in the circulatory system. This compound is a powerful antioxidant that could help protect cells, says the US National Library of Medicine.
“The consumption of this fruit has been associated with beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system, which have scientific foundations. According to the magazine Atherosclerosis, the intake of tomato and products derived from it helps to reduce LDL or bad cholesterol. In addition, it eliminates certain risk factors for heart disease and helps control blood pressure,” he says. Better with Health.
Along these lines, scientists from the University of Cambridge (United Kingdom) investigated the efficacy of taking a 7-milligram pill daily (equivalent to two and a half tomatoes) in the treatment of heart conditions. According to Cuerpo Mente, the analysis found that lycopene markedly improves the flexibility of blood vessels.
This research confirmed the results of previous studies, such as one carried out by the University of the East (Finland), which followed the evolution of a thousand men between the ages of 46 and 65 for 12 years and in the end found that those with higher levels of lycopene in the blood had a 60% lower risk of suffering a heart attack, the aforementioned source specifies.
Another of the ways in which tomatoes take care of the health of the heart is with the control of blood pressure. This is because it contains potassium, a mineral that helps eliminate sodium from the body through urine, and it is also a fruit that provides good amounts of water, creating a diuretic effect.which helps cleanse the body of toxins and fats that affect the arteries and blood vessels.
Other contributions to health
Regular consumption of tomatoes contributes to relieve both constipation and diarrhea. The fiber they contain stimulates the peristaltic movement of the digestive muscles and also the release of gastric juices. A study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal suggests that tomatoes have a protective effect on the digestive tract, says Mejor con Salud.
On the other hand, this food is a good source of vitamin K, so it helps to strengthen the bone structure, preventing the development of diseases such as osteoporosis. The aforementioned vitamin acts by activating osteocalcin, a protein necessary for the growth and mineralization of bone.
By containing lycopene, this fruit helps prevent and improve hepatic steatosis or fatty liver, through a process of oxidation and regulation of fat metabolism. Fatty liver is one of the most frequent ailments faced by this organ and if not controlled, it may lead to serious conditions.
Tomato, being rich in antioxidants, acts by protecting skin cells against oxidation from free radicals, thus helping to delay premature aging, which manifests itself through expression lines and wrinkles. Additionally, because it is a source of vitamin C, it favors the synthesis of collagen, as well as improving the healing process, according to Tua Saúde.
