Benefits of Tomato And Its Side Effects
Last Updated: Apr 25, 2024
Tomatoes have a wide range of beneficial effects due to the presence of a number of nutrients. They are rich in anti-oxidants that have anti-carcinogenic properties. Consumption of tomatoes helps to improve digestion and blood circulation, reduce cholesterol levels in blood, detoxify body, prevent premature aging, improve fluid balance and reduce inflammation. This vegetable also prevents diabetes, skin problems and urinary tract infections and helps to improve eyesight and stomach health. It even works to reduce blood sugar levels.
Tomato
Tomato or Solanum lycopersium is generally categorized as a vegetable even if technically it is a fruit. It is the berry of a plant from the nightshade family and is native to South America. Tomatoes not only add flavor to your food but also benefits your health due to the presence of essential nutrients. It grows in clusters of small to moderate size and round, red fruits. The flesh of this vegetable is soft and pinkish red and it tastes a bit sweet. It is a pertinent part of the cuisine of different cultures across the world and particularly so in the Mediterranean region.
Nutritional Value of Tomato
The water content in tomato is 95% while the rest 5 % consists of carbohydrates and fiber. Tomatoes contain good quantities of Vitamin A, Vitamin C and Vitamin K while other vitamins like vitamin B6, folate and thiamine are also present. Minerals like potassium, manganese, magnesium, copper and phosphorus are present in tomatoes. This vegetable also contains dietary fiber and protein and a number of other organic compounds like lycopene which are extremely beneficial for our health.
Nutritional facts Per 100 Grams
Vitamins and Minerals
Health Benefits of Tomato
Helps prevent cancer
Tomatoes are rich in Vitamin C and other anti-oxidants that act against the harmful free radicals in our body that can cause cancer. Tomatoes contain polyphenol which is a plant compound and it is effective in preventing prostate cancer. The beta-carotenes in tomatoes also have anti-carcinogenic effects.
Counters the bad effects of smoking
Smoking can cause lung cancer. Including tomatoes in your diet plan will help to prevent this dangerous illness due to the abundance of Vitamin A. Nitrosamines are the main carcinogens that are present in cigarettes. Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid, found in tomatoes, help to offset the harmful effects of these carcinogens.
Takes care of your heart
Consumption of tomatoes is good for your heart due to the presence of fiber, choline, Vitamin C and potassium. Maintaining a high potassium to sodium ratio is instrumental in prevention of cardiovascular diseases. The fiber content in this vegetable regulates the homocysteine levels in blood. Excess homocysteine can lead to higher risks of heart attacks and strokes. Regular intake of tomatoes helps to reduce triglycerides and LDL cholesterol in blood and thus protect us from cardiovascular diseases.
Helps improve vision
Vitamin A is a powerful anti-oxidant that acts against the harmful free radicals which can cause damage to our eyes. Thus Vitamin A helps to guard against macular degeneration and night blindness and improves our vision in general.
Good for your skin
A deficiency of Vitamin C can be bad for your skin as it becomes vulnerable to damage from sunlight, pollution and smoke. Your skin might develop wrinkles, or you may have sagging skin full of blemishes. Vitamin C prevents these conditions from developing as it facilitates the production of collagen which is an essential component of skin, hair, nails and connective tissue.
Improves digestive health
Tomatoes contain healthy amounts of fiber which add bulk to the stool and thereby ensures its smooth movement through the digestive tract. This prevents constipation and other complications. The fiber content helps to release gastric and digestive juices and even helps to stimulate the peristaltic motion in the smooth digestive muscles. This helps to regulate bowel movements and prevent conditions like colorectal cancer.
Good for diabetics
The effect of tomatoes on diabetes is two-fold. People suffering from Type-1 diabetes have lower blood sugar levels when they consume high fiber products like tomatoes. On the other hand, people with Type 2 diabetes experience an increase in blood sugar, insulin and lipids on consuming the same vegetable.
Reduces high blood pressure
Tomatoes contain potassium which is a vasodilator which reduces pressure in blood vessels and arteries. This helps to increase blood circulation and this lowers stress on your heart and so eliminates the risks of hypertension.
Helps prevent urinary tract infections
Tomato has diuretic properties which facilitate the formation of urine in our body. This helps to eliminate the toxic substances as well as excess water, salts and uric acid. This reduces the incidence of ailments like urinary tract infections and bladder cancer.
Helps prevent gallstones
Incorporating tomatoes in your diet will help prevent occurrence of gallstones. This is due to the presence of a number of essential vitamins, minerals and proteins in this vegetable.
Uses of Tomato
The fruit, leaf and vine of tomato are used to make to medicine. Tomato juice acts as an astringent and helps improve facial texture. Application of tomato juice on your skin helps to make it oil-free and helps to keep it fresh for longer. This vegetable is also an important ingredient in beauty treatments and can treat acne, sunburn and dull skin. Tomatoes also help to improve hair health. Tomatoes are pertinent fixtures in the cuisines of many countries. They can be had raw or cooked in a wide variety of ways. They are widely used in the preparation of salads and sauces.
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Side-Effects & Allergies of Tomato
Too much consumption of tomatoes can cause tomato leaf poisoning in some people. A few symptoms of this poisoning are irritation of throat and mouth, dizziness and it may sometimes even cause death. Due to their acidic nature, too much consumption of tomatoes might cause acid reflux. Tomatoes not grown organically might have the high levels of pesticide residue. Tomatoes contain potassium and high potassium levels in blood can impair kidney function. So it is advisable to consume tomatoes in moderation.
Cultivation of Tomato
Tomatoes originated in Central and South Americas and was introduced to Europe by the Spaniards in the 16th century. It is believed that tomatoes evolved from the prehistoric Nightshade plant over millions of years ago in South America. It is also believed that tomatoes were brought to Italy from Mexico by two Jesuit priests. The Aztecs first used tomatoes for cooking. At some point of time the Europeans considered them to be poisonous due to their shiny texture.
Tomato is a warm season crop and grows best under an average monthly temperature of 21-23 degrees centigrade. Both long periods of rain and long dry spells are harmful for the growth and fruiting of the plant. The tomato is a very versatile plant and can grow on almost all varieties of soil from light sandy to heavy clay. A pH range of 6-7 is also required.
References
- Bhowmik D, Kumar KS, Paswan S, Srivastava S. Tomato-a natural medicine and its health benefits. Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemistry. 2012;1(1):33-43. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Burton-Freeman B, Reimers K. Tomato consumption and health: emerging benefits. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine. 2011 Mar;5(2):182-91. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
- Willcox JK, Catignani GL, Lazarus S. Tomatoes and cardiovascular health. Critical Review in Food Science and Nutrition, 2003:43(1);1-18. [Cited 26 June 2019]. Available from:
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