Health Benefits of Tomatoes

Tomatoes are available year-round, but if you grow them, they are finally vine ready. There is nothing like a juicy ripe tomato to toss in your salad or add flavor to your favorite sandwich. This humble yet versatile fruit can be included in a plethora of family meals and snacks or can be eaten alone.

Tomatoes come in a variety of sizes and rich colors including red, green, yellow, orange, pink, burgundy, and even striped. Each has its own flavor profile and can be added to any hot or cold recipe. When it comes to tomatoes, there are no recipe borders. Soups, stews, casseroles, salads, pizzas, salsas, sauces, sandwiches, wraps, and more. Endless possibilities await your imagination.

Aside from their gorgeous color and their distinct flavor, tomatoes have an abundance of health benefits. Rich in the antioxidant lycopene, it naturally protects our cells from free radical damage. But, it may surprise you that tomatoes really nutrient-dense little superfoods that have many other reinforcing health properties.

Rich in Vitamins

The vitamin C, potassium, choline, and fiber in tomatoes promote a healthy heart. Potassium is an electrolyte that is critical for maintaining normal heart rhythm. It also counters high sodium which helps blood pressure levels and removes waste from our cells.

The vitamin A in tomatoes supports healthy vision, a strong immune system, and is great for our skin. Vitamin A protects us from UV rays, smoothes wrinkles, gives us a healthy skin tone, and assists with clearing up acne. Vitamin A is also great for your hair.

The vitamin K found in tomatoes is advantageous for keeping our bones strong. It works with calcium to maintain our bone tissue and prevent osteoporosis.

Tomatoes also contain folate (Vit B9) which is vital for making DNA, promoting healthy tissue growth and cell function.

Low in Sugar

Tomatoes are a non-starchy low glycemic food that is beneficial for all people, but especially for diabetics. With a GI rank of 15, any foods lower than 55 on the GI scale is good for those seeking lower-sugar foods. They’re also low calorie so they’re great for healthy weight management.

It’s very easy to take advantage the health benefits of tomatoes. Add them daily to any meal of the day. Make a tomato omelet, add them to your tacos or chili, puree them and drizzle on your pasta. Enjoy them anyway you like! Eat up!