Tomatoes Ripe With Powerful Health Benefits

Eating tomatoes and tomato products may have more health benefits than previously thought and decrease the risk of cancer, osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease, according to a review article published in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

Researchers from the National Center for Food Safety & Technology, Illinois Institute of Technology and ConAgra Foods Inc. examined current research to discover the role tomato products play in health and disease risk reduction. They found tomatoes are the biggest source of the antioxidant dietary lycopene, and unlike other fruit and vegetables it has greater potency after it is cooked. Tomatoes also contain other protective mechanisms, such as antithrombotic and anti-inflammatory functions. The findings also found a relationship between eating tomatoes and the reduction of certain cancers, cardiovascular disease, osteoporosis, ultraviolet light-induced skin damage and cognitive dysfunction.

“Tomatoes are the most important non-starchy vegetable in the American diet. Research underscores the relationship between consuming tomatoes and reduced risk of cancer, heart disease and other conditions," the authors concluded. “The evidence also suggests that consumption of tomatoes should be recommended because of the nutritional benefits and because it may be a simple and effective strategy for increasing overall vegetable intake."

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* AlpahGalileo: Health benefits of eating tomatoes emerge