Introduction
Tomatoes are a staple in many diets, but did you know that they can have some surprising health benefits? Dietitians have identified five surprising effects of eating tomatoes that you may not have known about. From reducing inflammation to improving heart health, tomatoes can be a great addition to your diet. Not only are they packed with vitamins and minerals, but they are also low in calories and fat. Read on to learn more about the five surprising effects of eating tomatoes.
5 Surprising Effects of Eating Tomatoes, Say Dietitians — Eat This Not That
Tomatoes are a popular and versatile vegetable that can be enjoyed in a variety of dishes. But did you know that eating tomatoes can have some surprising health benefits? According to dietitians, tomatoes can have a positive effect on your health in ways you may not have expected.
1. Tomatoes Can Help Lower Blood Pressure
Tomatoes are a great source of potassium, which is an essential mineral for maintaining healthy blood pressure levels. Eating tomatoes can help to reduce sodium levels in the body, which can help to lower blood pressure. Additionally, tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that has been linked to lower blood pressure levels.
2. Tomatoes Can Help Improve Heart Health
Tomatoes are packed with heart-healthy nutrients, including vitamin C, potassium, and lycopene. Eating tomatoes can help to reduce cholesterol levels, which can help to improve heart health. Additionally, the antioxidants in tomatoes can help to reduce inflammation, which can help to reduce the risk of heart disease.
3. Tomatoes Can Help Boost Immunity
Tomatoes are a great source of vitamin C, which is an essential nutrient for boosting immunity. Vitamin C helps to support the immune system and can help to reduce the risk of infection. Additionally, tomatoes are rich in antioxidants, which can help to reduce inflammation and protect the body from disease.
4. Tomatoes Can Help Improve Skin Health
Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that can help to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Eating tomatoes can help to reduce the risk of sunburn and can help to improve skin health. Additionally, the vitamin C in tomatoes can help to reduce wrinkles and can help to keep the skin looking youthful.
5. Tomatoes Can Help Improve Digestive Health
Tomatoes are a great source of fiber, which is essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. Eating tomatoes can help to keep the digestive system running smoothly and can help to reduce the risk of constipation. Additionally, the antioxidants in tomatoes can help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract, which can help to improve digestive health.
Eating tomatoes can have some surprising health benefits. From helping to lower blood pressure to boosting immunity, tomatoes can be a great addition to any diet. So, next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to pick up some tomatoes and enjoy the many health benefits they have to offer.
Whether you slice them onto a burger fresh off the grill, pop them into a salad to add some color and texture, or sautée them with garlic for a hearty pasta dish, nothing punches up a meal quite like fresh tomatoes.
Particularly when they’re in season—between May and October—this juicy fruit (yes, it’s technically a fruit) is big not only on flavor but also on potential health benefits. That said, tomatoes aren’t for everyone. They happen to be one of the most common food allergies. They can also cause some unpleasant digestive symptoms in some people. On the other hand, tomatoes also happen to be antioxidant powerhouses and packed with many other essential vitamins and nutrients.
With that in mind, here are some surprising things that can happen to your body when you eat fresh tomatoes. Read on, and for more on how to eat healthy, don’t miss Secret Side Effects of Eating Watermelon, Says Science.
Tomatoes are chock-full of carotenoids, a particular type of antioxidant that protects your skin from sun damage, according to Elena Paravantes, RD, founder of the Olive Tomato blog and author of The Mediterranean Diet Cookbook for Beginners.
In fact, one 2017 study in Scientific Reports found that regular tomato consumption may prevent you from getting sunburns, thereby reducing your risk of UVB-induced skin tumors.
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Tomatoes don’t just boost the flavor of your meal—they may also boost your mood in the long run, too.
A 2013 study in The Journal of Affective Disorders found that participants who ate tomatoes two to six times a week were 46% less likely to report mild or severe symptoms of depression compared with those who ate tomatoes less than once a week. Notably, other vegetables used in the study did not produce this same effect.
“Researchers aren’t sure which nutrients cause that effect but they believe it may be the antioxidants—including lycopene,” says Paravantes.
Tomatoes aren’t for everyone. If you have acid reflux, for example, this particular fruit can trigger your symptoms, causing a slew of unpleasant symptoms like heartburn, bloating, or indigestion.
“Fresh tomatoes are packed with citric and malic acids which tend to increase stomach acids,” says Nataly Komova, RD, a fitness expert at JustCBD. “Regular intake of fresh tomatoes spikes excessive production of gastric juice, which can worsen acid reflux.”
That doesn’t necessarily mean you can’t eat tomatoes at all if you have acid reflux, but you’ll likely need to stick to small quantities and monitor your symptoms.
Did you know that some foods actually help your body absorb other nutrients better? Tomatoes are one such food, according to Blanca Garcia, RDN, a nutrition specialist for Health Canal. Specifically, they may help you absorb iron, a mineral that plays a key role in making hemoglobin and myoglobin, proteins that help carry oxygen to the muscles and organs throughout the body.
Garcia says tomatoes are able to accomplish this because of their impressive vitamin C: A 1-cup serving contains 27% of your recommended daily value.
“Vitamin C is needed to make collagen, a protein found in connective tissues that helps with wound healing,” says Garcia. “Having a steady intake of vitamin C can help your body heal faster when you cut yourself, are recovering from surgery, or have a pressure wound from being bedridden.”
In fact, a 2016 study of hospital patients in the International Journal of Surgery found that when subjects took 1,000-milligram supplements of vitamin C, they experienced “drastically” faster and better healing of “extensive and complicated” wounds.
Rebecca Strong