10 Amazing Health Benefits of Tomatoes

 How can you not love tomatoes? They’re sweet, tangy, savory and delicious in just about any form—raw, cooked, chopped up as ketchup or sliced over a juicy burger. Tomatoes are low in calories but high in nutrition and antioxidants; they’re also great sources of vitamins A and C as well as potassium and other minerals. Here are 10 amazing health benefits of tomatoes that will make you want to reach for one right now!

 

1) Gives you glowing skin

Tomatoes are packed with beta-carotene, an antioxidant that can protect your skin from sun damage. Beta-carotene’s main benefit is to prevent free radical damage to cells and tissues, which means it can help reduce signs of aging by minimizing wrinkles and protecting your skin from sun damage. The best way to get maximum beta-carotene benefits is by consuming plenty of fruit or vegetables like tomatoes! You can also use tomato juice as a natural skin toner to remove dead skin cells. It is the most demanded health benefit of tomato. 

 

2) Fights inflammation

The antioxidants in tomatoes fight against free radicals that can cause an inflammatory response. Many people with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis can benefit from eating tomato-based products. A 2012 study published in PLoS One showed that supplementing with tomato powder for four weeks reduced joint inflammation in subjects with rheumatoid arthritis. Researchers also found a reduction in C-reactive protein levels, an indicator of systemic inflammation.

 

3) Makes you smarter

Tomatoes are rich in a type of carotenoid called lycopene, which is currently being studied for its potential health benefits. Studies suggest that lycopene may protect against coronary heart disease and several types of cancer, including prostate cancer and breast cancer. Lycopene also protects against oxidative stress, which can be a contributing factor to chronic disease. In addition to tomatoes, other food sources rich in lycopene include watermelon, guava, papaya and pink grapefruit.

 

4) Lowers your cancer risk

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, a powerful antioxidant linked to lower cancer risk. According to research published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, consuming tomatoes is associated with reduced lung cancer and stomach cancer risks. Lycopene has also been shown to be effective against other types of cancers including prostate, breast and cervical cancers. In addition to lowering your cancer risk, lycopene can improve your cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels.

 

5) Boosts your heart health

A study by researchers at Ohio State University showed that consuming 4 grams of lycopene (the antioxidant in tomatoes) per day could reduce your risk for heart attack. Tomatoes are also full of vitamins C and K, which are both crucial for maintaining a healthy heart. In addition, lycopene boosts cholesterol metabolism and reduces platelet aggregation – factors that can help stave off cardiovascular disease. Bottom line: tomato benefits your heart health!

 

6) Improves eye health

Fresh tomatoes contain a variety of antioxidants and vitamins, including vitamin C, which are essential for protecting your vision. In fact, consuming just two servings per week reduces your risk of developing cataracts. People who eat tomato-based foods also tend to have a lower risk of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), one of the leading causes for blindness in older adults. Antioxidants prevent free radicals from damaging cells and tissues throughout your body, including your eyes. Adding more fruits and vegetables—especially tomatoes—to your diet might help keep your eyes healthy as you age!

 

7) Reduces your risk of kidney stones

Eating tomatoes or drinking tomato juice can reduce your risk of getting kidney stones by as much as 40 percent. The reason? A compound in tomatoes called lycopene, which also gives tomatoes their red color. Other fruits and vegetables with high levels of lycopene include watermelon, pink grapefruit, guava and papaya.

 

8) Offers anti-aging properties

Research has shown that tomatoes contain several compounds—including carotenoids and lycopene—that offer anti-aging properties. Carotenoids are natural antioxidants; they help protect cells against free radical damage. Lycopene is a type of carotenoid with powerful antioxidant properties, even more potent than vitamin E, beta-carotene, and other antioxidants. When you consume lycopene in tomato products (like sauce), it helps fight oxidative stress in your body.

 

9) Keeps you hydrated and in good form!

The health benefits of tomatoes don’t stop at improving your overall appearance and skin—they can keep you in good physical shape, too. Studies have shown that eating half a cup to one full cup of tomato products daily can help lower blood pressure, which is especially beneficial for people with hypertension. Additionally, lycopene helps maintain healthy bones, joints and muscles by strengthening cell walls and reducing inflammation throughout your body.

 

10) Increases fat metabolism.

Tomatoes are rich in Lycopene, a nutrient that helps our bodies break down and metabolize fat. They are also high in Vitamin C, which is important for reducing oxidative stress and slowing down aging. Our body’s cells can have a hard time fending off free radicals when we don’t get enough Vitamin C in our diet, making it harder to lose weight. Fights cancer: Lycopene has been linked to lower rates of prostate cancer in men and breast cancer in women as well as other forms of cancer like skin, stomach, bladder and even cervical cancers. Prevents depression: Lycopene has also been associated with lower rates of depression by helping boost serotonin levels.