Although tomatoes are sometimes only placed on the edge of a plate as an accent to add a little bit of color, tomatoes should not just be thought of as decoration.
Tomatoes are rich in potassium, folate, as well as Vitamins A, C, and K. They are also a good source of magnesium, thiamin, phosphorus, vitamin B6, niacin, and copper. Due to all of the vitamins and minerals they contain, there are many health benefits of tomatoes.
One of the more intriguing health benefits of tomatoes is that they contain a great deal of the antioxidant lycopene. Recently, studies have shown that lycopene is very effective in helping to prevent various types of cancers, including pancreatic and intestinal cancers. Vitamins A and C also fight free radicals that might lead to cancer.
In addition to helping prevent cancer, there are other major health benefits of tomatoes. These include a lower risk of high blood pressure, strokes, heart disease, and high cholesterol.
But that’s not all! There are still several, lesser known health benefits of tomatoes. Chromium is found in tomatoes, which regulates blood sugar. Tomatoes are also very good for your bones. The Vitamin K that tomatoes contain will help strengthen and repair bones. Lycopene has been found to to help build bone mass and reduce the risk of osteoporosis. Tomatoes are also a great way to reduce chronic inflammatory pain. Tomatoes contain bioflavonoids and carotenoids, which work to reduce chronic inflammatory pain. The health benefits of tomatoes even extend to your skin. The beta-carotene in tomatoes helps protect skin from sun damage.
And of course, the health benefits of tomatoes can also include weight loss. The fiber and high water content of tomatoes allows them to be a very filling food. If you don’t like eating salads because you find yourself hungry again thirty minutes later, try adding some tomatoes. In addition to making you feel fuller longer, tomatoes are also low in sodium, cholesterol, calories, and saturated fat.
With all of the great health benefits of tomatoes, it’s lucky that they are often featured in so many dishes! Here at Mexicali Fresh Mex Grill, we utilize the health benefits of tomatoes to our customers’ advantage. As with many authentic Mexican dishes, tomatoes are featured in several items on our menu, including the freshly made salsa that comes complimentary with every visit. If you are interested in letting us help you take advantage of the health benefits of tomatoes, please feel free to visit us at our Holden, MA, Spencer, MA (and soon to be Ware, MA!) locations.
Now that you know that there are so many health benefits of tomatoes, are you planning to add more to your diet? What dishes do you think will help you take advantage of the health benefits of tomatoes?