Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth. 3 John 1:2
The body is the house for the Spirit and the soul. Therefore, it is very important to God that we invest into keeping a healthy body and not only a healthy soul as seen in the scripture above. It is for this reason that God gave us healthy plants, foods, vegetables, seeds and trees as seen in Genesis 1:29. One of these healthy vegetables or fruits are tomatoes.
Tomato is a major vegetable in sub-Saharan Africa and is grown mainly as a cash crop. Usually red when mature, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple. What’s most common and most used in Africa is red. The French sometimes call them “love apples” (pomme d’amour).
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
They are also a great source of vitamin A, B2, C, Potassium, Folate, and vitamin K, fiber and chromium, The vitamins act as antioxidants, which neutralize free radicals to stop the condition of oxidative stress.
The minerals play important roles in ensuring the body functions properly without disease.
5 Health Benefits of Tomatoes;
1) Facial Cleansing, Hair and Skin Health:
Tomatoes contain lycopene, which is also used for facial cleansers. Apart from eating them as salad, you can also peel the tomatoes, and use the skin as a mask on your face. It cleanses and refreshes your skin. And the Vitamin A in tomatoes protects your hair from external damages as well!
A 2011 study found that the combination of tomato paste and olive oil protected against sun damage, and boosted the production of pro-collagen, a molecule that gives the skin its structure and keeps it firm and youthful. It’s highest concentration when tomatoes have been cooked, and olive oil boosts its absorption from your digestive system into your bloodstream.
2) They protect heart health
The antioxidant called lycopene, which is responsible for their red color. has been proven to be more effective when taken as tomatoes than taken as a lycopene supplements. Other studies have shown that higher blood levels of lycopene are tied to lower death rates for people with metabolic syndrome, a cluster of risk factors that raise the chances of developing heart disease,diabetes, and stroke. The Vitamin A, Vitamin B and potassium in them help to decrease your cholesterol levels and blood. In the long run, it can prevent heart related diseases.
One medium tomato contain almost 300 mg of potassium,”
3) Improve your vision
Lycopene is also good for your eyes. And that’s not the only peeper-protective nutrient in tomatoes; they contain lutein and beta-carotene as well. According to research, those nutrients support vision and protect against eye conditions including cataracts and macular degeneration.
4) Helps with diabetes and Cancer management
Tomatoes may be a protective food for people with type 2 diabetes: In one study, people with diabetes who supplemented with cooked tomatoes for 30 days experienced a decrease in lipid peroxidation, a chain reaction in which substances called free radicals attack fat, leading to damage that ups the risk of heart disease. This is particularly important, because diabetes doubles the risk of stroke and heart attack.
Also, Observational studies have found links between the superstar compound lycopene and fewer incidences of prostate, ovarian, lung, and stomach cancers.
5) It Helps to Burn Fat and Controls Blood Sugar
If you are on diet, now is the time to include tomatoes as part of your daily regime. Tomatoes encourage the production of the amino acid called Carnitine, which is reported to enhance the body’s fat burning ability to at least 30 percent, if not more.
Also, Tomatoes are known to have a mineral called chromium. And did you know that chromium works in keeping blood sugar levels in check? So for those who have diabetes, or the history of it in the family, it’s a good fruit to include in your diet
Sources:
Health.com
Livescience
Healthline.com
Ndtv Food
Researchgate.net
