Is it good to eat tomatoes daily?

 

Tomatoes are both healthy and tasty and should be part of our daily meals. They are beneficial for maintaining and developing good health by virtue of containing Antioxidants

Tomatoes contain alpha-lipoic acid that helps in lowering sugar levels by converting glucose into energy. Antioxidants also help in flushing the system thus preventing cancer and other diseases. Quercetin and kaempferol are types of antioxidants contained in tomatoes that reduce inflammation beneficial to the heart and brain health. Furthermore skin aging process is delayed.

 

What happens when you eat tomatoes daily?

 

Nutrients

Tomatoes have carotenoids such as lutein and lycopene that are related to properties that can prevent prostate cancer. Lycopene also helps protect cells from damage. In fact eating tomatoes daily will ensure you get a number of nutrients to enable your body function better.

On the other hand excessive intake of lycopene can cause lycopenodermia, a deep-orange coloration of the skin.

Here are the nutrients in a small (100-gram) raw tomato (1Trusted Source):

• Calories: 18
• Water: 95%
• Protein: 0.9 grams
• Carbs: 3.9 grams
• Sugar: 2.6 grams
• Fiber: 1.2 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams

Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, make up almost 70% of the carb content.

Tomatoes are a good source of fiber, providing about 1.5 grams per average-sized tomato.

Most of the fibers (87%) in tomatoes are insoluble, in the form of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin (2).

Fresh tomatoes are low in carbs. The carb content consists mainly of simple sugars and insoluble fibers. These fruits are mostly made up of water.

Vitamins

Vitamin A ensures a healthy hair, nail and skin due to collegen. Tomatoes also make your eyesight better. The presence of Vitamin B and folate is essential in treating fatigue, tissue growth and cell functionality. Similarly, Vitamin C helps in flushing the system. The fruit also boosts immunity. When eaten raw you acquire Vitamin K which is good for the bones and blood clotting.

 

Minerals

They are a good source of potassium that prevents cardiovascular diseases by lowering elevated blood pressure in the body. Calcium in tomatoes is good for bone repair and strengthening. Patients with chronic kidney are however advised to reduce their intake of potassium. It is important for people suffering from cardiovascular diseases to include tomatoes in their daily diet as they reduce production of bad cholesterol. Always wash tomatoes and eat or cook with skin as the skin is rich in phytochemicals good for the body.

 

What are the negative effects of tomatoes?

However, tomatoes can lead to allergic reaction due to a compound called histamine. As a result this may cause swelling of body parts like tongue, face, mouth, eczema, difficulty in breathing and sneezing among others to persons allergic to tomatoes. Likewise, allergic contact dermatitis can be caused by just touching tomatoes whereby the body becomes itchy and swollen. Persons with tomato intolerance may experience diarrhea.

 

Since tomatoes are known to be acidic due to malic and citric acids they can cause heartburn, bladder irritation and acute stomach upset. Persons with severe kidney disease are advised to reduce their intake as tomatoes contain a lot of water.

 

Other compounds, nutrients, minerals and Vitamins packed in tomatoes include, Naringenin,

Chlorogenic acid, carbs, fiber, phosphorus, magnesium, B1, B3, B5, B6 and B7.

Ideally the best time to eat tomatoes is in the morning and is advisable to take one tomato daily.

 

What is the best time to eat tomatoes?

Incorporate tomatoes in your daily meals in various forms e.g. fresh, dried or sauce all year round and reap the benefits above.