Tomato. Benefits and properties.
The tomato originates from Mexico and Peru and in Europe appears in the XVI century of the hand of the Spanish conquerors.
The properties of the tomato are its low energy content 20 Kcal per 100 grs. Its main content is water, and carbohydrates slightly more than 3%. Tomato is an important source of minerals such as potassium and magnesium. As for its content in vitamins they emphasize the vitamin B1, vitamin B3, vitamin B5 and vitamin C.
In its composition also it is necessary to make mention to the presence of carotenoides like the lycopene this pigment gives the red color to the tomato. Lycopene along with vitamin C are antioxidants that provide protection to the body.
Benefits for tomato health include:
Improves vision: The vitamin A content of this food helps improve our visual health, prevents night blindness, cataracts and macular degeneration.
Reduces cholesterol and protects the heart: Lycopene exerts a protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. Regular consumption of tomatoes lowers cholesterol levels and triglycerides in the blood.
Improves digestion. The tomato improves the health of our digestive system and prevents us from constipation and diarrhea.
Reduces hypertension: Due to its low sodium content, habitual tomato consumption reduces the risk of hypertension
Tomatoes have diuretic properties, help eliminate toxins and prevent fluid retention.
Advisable for people with diabetes. Consumption of tomato juice would help the blood to have no coagulation problems, since it reduces platelet aggregation. This would favorably affect some cases of type 2 diabetes.
It improves the health of the skin, teeth, hair, bones. Tomato helps keep skin, teeth, hair and bones in good condition. The usual consumption of tomatoes protects the skin against the harmful effects of UV rays, and prevents us against cellular aging.
It prevents urinary tract infections and helps us to treat gallstones.
Its potassium content helps us protect our nervous system and muscles in general and protects our cells.
Important source of antioxidants. The tomato possesses caretonoids these pigments are powerful antioxidants like lycopene very effective to prevent certain types of cancer such as prostate cancer that cause free radicals.
This information can never replace the advice of a physician or other health care professional.