|
The tomato originates from Central and South America, with Mexico being the first known cultivators. The conquistadors took seeds back to Spain, and soon became popular in other European countries.
Strangely enough, it was first grown only for ornamental purposes in Italy for fear that it was poisonous due to the fact that it belongs to the nightshade family. And it was for the same reason that they were not popular in the United States until 1820.
Today China is the world’s largest producer, followed by the United States and Turkey.
Health Benefits of Tomatoes
-
Nutrients
Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamin A, C, and K. They a very good source of dietary fiber, chromium, manganese, potassium, and vitamin B1. They are a good source of magnesium, folate, phosphorus, niacin, vitamin E, B6 and B2, copper, pantothenic acid, iron, and protein.
|
|
|
-
Antioxidants
At a study at the Department of Food Science, at Cornell University, New York it was shown that strawberries contain high levels of antioxidants, which can decrease the risk of chronic disease. They were also shown to significantly reduce liver cancer cells. In addition to their known beneficial effects on cancer and heart disease, the antioxidant qualities of strawberries may also be beneficial in reversing the course of neuronal and behavioural aging.
|
-
Cancer
Ellagic acid is present in many red fruits and berries, including raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and cranberries. Studies have shown that strawberry consumption can increase anti-cancer activity on cancer cells of the breast, oesophagus, skin, colon, prostate and pancreas. More specifically, ellagic acid prevents the destruction of P53 gene by cancer cells. Ellagic acid can also bind with cancer causing molecules, thereby making them inactive.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Lycopene content of processed tomato products
|
| Product |
Lycopene content/100mg |
| Tomato paste |
29.3 |
| Ketchup |
17.0 |
| Condensed tomato soup |
10.9 |
| Whole tinned tomatoes |
9.7 |
| Tomato juice |
9.3 |
| Raw tomatoes |
3.0 |
Nutrient Values of Raw Red Tomatoes per 100g
|
|
|
Energy Value
75kj
|
|
|
Sugars
2.63g
|
|
Dietary Fiber
1.2g
|
|
Sodium
5mg
|
Zinc
0.17mg
|
Potassium
237mg
|
|
|
Magnesium
11mg
|
Copper
0.059mg
|
Calcium
10mg
|
Vitamin C
12.7mg
|
|
Vitamin E
0.54mg
|
Vit. B3 (Niacin)
0.594mg
|
Vitamin B6
0.080mg
|
Vit. B1 (Thiamin)
0.037mg
|
Vit. B2 (Riboflavin)
0.019mg
|
References:
1. The Encyclopedia of Healing Foods by Michael Murray, Joseph Pizzorno, and Lara Pizzorno.
2. Benders' Dictionary of Nutrition and Food Technology.
3. Foods to Fight Cancer by Professor Richard Beliveau and Dr Denis Gingras.
4. USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference.
5. USDA-NCI Carotenoid Database
6. Etminan M, Takkouche B, Caamaño-Isorna F. The role of tomato products and lycopene in the prevention of prostate cancer: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev. 2004 Mar;13(3):340-5. PMID: 15006906.
7. Giovannucci E, Rimm EB, Liu Y, Stampfer MJ, Willett WC. A prospective study of tomato products, lycopene, and prostate cancer risk. J Natl Cancer Inst. 2002 Mar 6;94(5):391-8. PMID: 11880478.
8. Silaste ML, Alfthan G, Aro A, Kesäniemi YA, Hörkkö S. Tomato juice decreases LDL cholesterol levels and increases LDL resistance to oxidation. Br J Nutr. 2007 Dec;98(6):1251-8. Epub 2007 Jul 9. PMID: 17617941.
9. Srinivasan M, Sudheer AR, Menon VP. Ferulic Acid: therapeutic potential through its antioxidant property. J Clin Biochem Nutr. 2007 Mar;40(2):92-100. PMID: 18188410.
10. Yamamoto J, Taka T, Yamada K, Ijiri Y, Murakami M, Hirata Y, Naemura A, Hashimoto M, Yamashita T, Oiwa K, Seki J, Suganuma H, Inakuma T, Yoshida T. Tomatoes have natural anti-thrombotic effects. Br J Nutr. 2003 Dec;90(6):1031-8. PMID: 14641962.
|
