TOMATOES – HEALTH BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES

TOMATOES – HEALTH BENEFITS AND DISADVANTAGES

Tomatoes are generally categorized as a vegetable but if we overview technically, they are fruits. Tomatoes are not only enriched with essential nutrients but also add flavor to our food.

NUTRITIONAL PROFILE PER 100 GRAMS

           Nutrient                                Value

• Calories                                18
• Total Fat                               0.2 gm
• Sodium                                5 mg
• Potassium                          237 mg
• Carbohydrates                 3.9 gm
• Protein 0.9 gm

Vitamins and Minerals               

• Vitamin A                           16% of the daily value (DV)
• Calcium                             0.01 % of the DV
• Vitamin C                          22% of the DV
• Iron                                    1% of the DV
• Vitamin B-6                     5% of the DV
• Magnesium                     2% of the DV

HEALTH BENEFITS OF TOMATOES

Helpful in preventing bad effects of smoking

The research concluded that smoking can cause lung cancer, and due to high amount of Vitamin A in tomatoes will help to prevent this dangerous illness. Besides, p-Coumaric acid and chlorogenic acid found in tomatoes help to counterbalance the harmful effects of Nitrosamines which are present in Cigarettes and harmful for smokers. The addition of this valuable diet can prevent from bad effects of smoking.

May be Good for your Skin

A deficiency of Vitamin C can badly affect your skin and may damage by sunlight, pollution, or even smoking, but the presence of Vitamin C in tomatoes may facilitate the production of collagen which is an essential component of skin hair, nails, and other connective tissue. Hence, consuming tomatoes may be good for your skin.

Good for Diabetics

This vegetable or fruit is helpful in both diabetes i.e. Type-1 or Type-2. If people consuming this food who are suffering from Type-1 diabetes have lower blood sugar, whereas people who are suffering from Type-2 diabetes experience a healthy increase in blood sugar, insulin, and lipids consume this vegetable.

It May Reduce High Blood Pressure

The consumption of this food by people who suffer from high blood pressure may help to reduce pressure in blood vessels and arteries due to a nutrient called potassium which is known as a vasodilator. This resultantly increases blood circulation and thus lower stress on your heart and hence eliminates the chance of hypertension.

DISADVANTAGES OF TOMATOES

May Cause Heartburn

Tomatoes are generally packed with malic and citric acids and excessive use of tomatoes can make the stomach produce excessive gastric acid and when the volume of this acid increased it is responsible for heartburning. 

May Cause Allergies

Tomatoes are often safe but some people experienced some allergies to this fruit. According to the latest study, tomatoes have a compound called histamine that may cause certain allergic reactions like skin rashes, coughing, sneezing, itching and even swelling on the face or mouth. 

May Cause Kidney Problems

High levels of potassium in the blood may cause kidney diseases, and tomatoes are generally enriched with potassium. Hence people with severe kidney issues may also be required to limit their intake of tomatoes or avoid the use of this fruit.