Tomato Food Facts
Tomatoes as Natural Cures and Remedies
Tomatoes are members of the nightshade family. The fruit originated in Mexico and moved to Europe where it was not immediately accepted as food because people feared tomatoes were poisonous. Tomatoes were grown as ornamental garden plants. In reality, the tomato plant itself should not be eaten. The leaves contain alkaloids that are toxic to humans. Eventually, the tomato was accepted and has become a dietary staple in many parts of the world.
Nutrition in a Tomato
Tomatoes are loaded with vitamin C, carotenes, biotin, and vitamin K. Tomatoes are most nutritious when fully ripe. In fact, a fully ripe, red tomato contains four times the amount of beta-carotene as a green tomato! Like all fruits and vegetables, the nutritional value is maximized when eaten raw, because cooking does destroy some vitamins and enzymes in tomatoes.
Tomatoes as Cures or Natural Remedies
In the juicing community, tomato juice is widely believed to be beneficial in treating the following conditions: bowel disease, cancer, emphasema, gall stones, high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, liver problems, prostate cancer and enlarged prostate. The lycopene, in red tomatoes, has been studied by Harvard Medical school for its prevention of many types of cancer. The lycopene is also thought to prevent other illnesses such as heart disease and vision problems, by counteracting free radicals and preventing damage to your health. Yellow varieties of tomatoes have less acid; they also do not have the quantity of cancer preventing lycopene found in red tomatoes.
Tomatoes as Cures or Natural Remedies for Prostate Cancer
Tomatoes have been particularly studied in prostate cancer and one study suggests that men who consume tomato sauce at least twice a week are 25% less likely to develop prostate cancer. Tomatoes are also recommended as a natural food cure or remedy for anyone diagnosed with prostate enlargement.
Lycopene in Tomatoes
Interestingly, cooking does not damage lycopene. Tomato paste, which is well cooked, is loaded with lycopene. Another interesting fact about lycopene is that olive oil improves the absorption of lycopene making any tomato recipe prepared in combination with olive oil very good at reducing your risk of many types of cancer. Fresh tomatoes are wonderful prepared as sauces, in lettuce or pasta salads, or simply eaten alone. Many tomato sauce and salad recipes contain olive oil.
Buying Tomatoes
Never buy tomatoes from countries that do not have strict laws against lead in food containers. Tomatoes are very effective in leaching lead and other contaminants from the containers in which they are stored. Additionally, it is best to buy tomatoes and tomato sauces in glass containers rather than cans to reduce exposure to metal and plastics contaminants. Because tomatoes are one of the most pesticide contaminated crops it is wise to purchase organic tomatoes, or grow your own.
Unfortunately, tomatoes are also a commonly genetically modified crop, or GMO. Genetically modified tomatoes have been modified by injecting hormones from fish into them to help them grow larger. To avoid GMO tomatoes, buy tomatoes labeled non-GMO, organically grown tomatoes, or grow your own.
Sources:
Michael Murray, N.D, Healing Foods, New York, NY, Pocket Books, 2006
Other Articles of Interest by this Author:
How to Make Tomato Pasta Salad with Olive Oil
How to Make Tomato Salsa for Canning
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