The Health Benefits of Tomatoes – Nutrition, Vitamins, and Lycopene
The Red Gold family has been working with local farm families to grow the highest-quality, best-tasting tomatoes in the world for the last four decades. We all know that our tomato products are the tastiest around, but did you know that there are many tomato health benefits as well?
Nutrient-Dense and Low in Calories
Tomatoes contain a bounty of essential vitamins, antioxidant compounds, and fiber, all while being incredibly low in calories. They’re a perfect choice for anyone looking to enjoy flavorful, nutrient-rich foods that support a healthy lifestyle.
Nutritional Overview of Tomatoes
With just 22 calories per medium-sized fruit, tomatoes are excellent additions to your diet. They’re rich in fiber, which supports healthy digestion, and provide essential potassium to help regulate blood pressure and maintain heart health. With their low-calorie count and impressive nutrient profile, tomatoes are a delicious way to nourish your body. If you don’t believe us, check out the experts who wrote a study called “ Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes” and read more about the tomato health benefits associated with a diet enriched with tomatoes and tomato products.
Essential Vitamins in Tomatoes
Let’s take a closer look at the main vitamins in tomatoes.
Vitamin C
Vitamin C supports immune function and skin health and helps the body absorb iron. A single tomato provides nearly 28% of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C
Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene
Tomatoes are rich in beta-carotene, a nutrient that converts to Vitamin A, essential for healthy vision, strong immunity, and radiant skin. Including tomatoes in your diet regularly may help protect your eyes and lower the risk of age-related macular degeneration.
Vitamin K and Bone Health
Vitamin K plays an important role in bone health and blood clotting. One medium tomato provides about 9% of the daily recommended intake.
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Folate, another important nutrient found in tomatoes, is crucial for cell function and tissue growth, especially for pregnant women. The amount of folate in tomatoes can vary depending on how ripe they are and when they were harvested.
Lycopene: The Powerhouse Antioxidant
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant compound found in tomatoes. It helps to protect cells from damage and supports overall heart health.
What is Lycopene?
Lycopene is a powerful antioxidant compound responsible for tomatoes' red color. It has been linked to numerous health benefits, especially in helping to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and prostate cancer.
Health Benefits of Lycopene
Research shows that lycopene may contribute to heart health by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress. Cooking tomatoes, like in soups or sauces, increases the bioavailability of lycopene, making it easier for your body to absorb. Are you worried about not getting enough if you buy canned tomatoes? Please don’t because canned tomatoes provide 20% more lycopene than fresh tomatoes!
Skin Health Benefits of Tomatoes
Vitamin C and lycopene in tomatoes provide benefits for skin health, including helping to reduce the signs of aging by combating free radicals and protecting the skin from sun damage. Tomatoes' hydrating properties, coupled with their high water content, help keep skin plump and hydrated.
Heart Health and Cancer Prevention
Certain foods have the potential to help fight cancer, and you can count tomatoes among them!
Tomatoes and Heart Health
Tomatoes are rich in potassium, which helps lower blood pressure and reduce the risk of heart disease. The combination of lycopene, fiber, potassium, and vitamin C makes tomatoes a heart-healthy food.
Cancer-Fighting Properties
As mentioned, lycopene has been associated with a reduced risk of cancers, particularly prostate and lung cancer. Its antioxidant properties help neutralize harmful free radicals in the body.
How to Incorporate More Tomatoes into Your Diet
To get these health benefits, Red Gold Tomatoes are a convenient way to add tomatoes to your meals. Consider adding diced tomatoes to salads, crushed tomatoes to soups and stews, or tomato paste to sauces and casseroles. The possibilities are endless!
Recipes, like Tomato Soup
When it comes to creating delicious meals, the recipes from Red Gold Tomatoes are a great place to start. No matter what you're craving, we have the perfect flavor to bring your dishes to life. Tomato soup, made with Red Gold Tomatoes, is not only delicious but packed with vitamins and antioxidants that support immune health and provide protection against chronic diseases.
Drinking Tomato Juice Benefits
Drinking tomato juice is a great way to get a concentrated dose of nutrients like Vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene, which support heart health and help protect against free radical damage.
Tomatoes: A Tasty Way to Stay Healthy
Tomatoes are tasty in so many ways! It’s also great that tomato products are deliciously versatile and packed with nutrition. They offer vitamin C, fiber, potassium, iron, lycopene, and antioxidant compounds, making them a craving you can feel great about.
Visit RedGoldTomatoes.com for more healthy recipes and delicious tomato products, and follow us on social media for tips on incorporating more tomatoes into your diet.
