If you eat a tomato every day, what changes will happen to your body after a year? Mr. Li, a 48-year-old from Shandong, tells us the answer through his own experience. Though a seemingly inconspicuous tomato, after a year of persistence, the effects are significant. After reading this article, let’s delve into the story behind tomatoes.
What are the nutritional components of tomatoes?
Lycopene: Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, which has excellent antioxidant properties and provides good protection for the prostate.
Organic acids: Tomatoes contain abundant organic acids, promoting the secretion of digestive fluids. For those with poor appetite or digestion, consuming tomatoes to supplement organic acids can aid in digestion and enhance appetite.
Vitamin C: Tomatoes are rich in vitamin C, which promotes the production of various immune substances in the body. Consuming tomatoes to boost vitamin C levels helps enhance the body’s immune system.
A 48-year-old man who ate tomatoes every day amazed doctors after a year
By chance, Li Qiang learned about the many health benefits of tomatoes. Upon researching, he discovered that tomatoes are rich in various nutrients such as vitamin C, lycopene, and dietary fiber. Hence, Li Qiang decided to make eating tomatoes the first step in improving his health.
He would have a tomato for breakfast and pair tomato dishes with his lunch and dinner. Over time, he gradually discovered more benefits of tomatoes.
1. Helps lower high blood pressure
High blood pressure is often caused by prolonged contraction and expansion of the body’s capillaries, which, if due to atherosclerosis of the aorta, can pose significant health risks. Tomatoes contain ample calcium ions that assist in clearing unnecessary potassium ions accumulated in the kidneys, preventing high blood pressure, and combating atherosclerosis.
2. Prevents cardiovascular diseases
The lycopene in tomatoes effectively prevents coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis. Tomatoes’ lycopene significantly reduces the oxidation of serum lipids and LDL, thereby reducing the incidence of atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease.
3. Delays aging
Lycopene is not only an important natural food colorant in today’s industry but also a potent antioxidant. Supplementing lycopene fights aging, boosts the immune system, reduces disease occurrences, and can prevent macular degeneration and pigmentation. Hence, tomatoes are nicknamed the “longevity fruit.”
4. Promotes healthier stomach
Tomatoes contain several acidic compounds like malic and citric acid, which benefit the stomach. They enhance gastric juice secretion, increase stomach acid concentration, and strengthen gastrointestinal function. Regular consumption of tomatoes can aid in faster recovery for those with chronic gastric conditions. Furthermore, the fiber in tomatoes improves stomach digestion and prevents indigestion and constipation.
5. Reduces cancer risks
Tomatoes, rich in lycopene, possess strong antioxidant abilities, over a hundred times stronger than vitamins C and E. They eliminate free radicals that cause aging diseases, halt prostate cancer progression, and effectively reduce the risks of pancreatic, colorectal, oral, breast cancers, and more.
6. Helps in weight loss
Tomatoes are low in calories, high in fiber. They contain abundant water content and dietary fiber, aiding in satiety and requiring more energy in digestion. Eating tomatoes not only provides nutrition but also helps control appetite, reduce overeating, managing weight, and aiding in weight loss.
When eating tomatoes regularly, be aware of the “5 taboos”.
1. Pay attention to ripeness
Choose ripe tomatoes for consumption. Greenish tomatoes indicate they are not yet ripe and should not be eaten as they contain a toxin called solanine, causing nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and discomfort.
2. Avoid pairing with cucumbers
Cucumbers contain an enzyme that degrades vitamin C, which may disrupt the intake of vitamin C abundant in other vegetables like tomatoes. Consuming cucumbers with tomatoes could lead to a loss of the vitamin C benefits from tomatoes.
3. Avoid consuming on an empty stomach
Both large and small tomatoes should not be consumed on an empty stomach as they may cause stomach discomfort due to chemical reactions with gastric acid components. It’s recommended to consume them as fruit after meals rather than on an empty stomach.
4. Not advisable to always eat raw
Tomatoes should not be consumed raw too often because they contain a high amount of astringents that react with gastric acid, forming clumps in the body and causing discomfort. It is advisable to eat cooked tomatoes, especially for those with weaker gastrointestinal functions.
So, it is recommended to consume cooked tomatoes as much as possible, particularly for those with weaker gastrointestinal functions.
5. Ensure thorough washing before consumption
When consuming raw tomatoes, it’s best to wash them thoroughly beforehand as they may have been exposed to manure during growth, which contains parasite eggs. Also, tomatoes can accumulate dust and other microorganisms, so cleaning them before consumption is essential.
Additional Reading: Is it better to eat tomatoes raw or cooked?
Nutritional value: Eating raw tomatoes retains the maximum vitamin C content, making them more nutritious. The vitamin C in tomatoes is easily absorbed by the body after cooking, though the content may decrease slightly.
Taste: Raw tomatoes maintain their natural taste and freshness, yet they are harder in texture, which some may not prefer. Cooked tomatoes are softer with a better taste, allowing individuals to choose based on their preferences.
Regardless of eating raw or cooked tomatoes, make sure to choose fresh, unspoiled tomatoes. It’s recommended to gently wash them under running water before consumption to remove surface dirt and potential residues of pesticides to prevent stomach discomfort or issues like abdominal pain and bloating.
