Are you having problems gaining the minerals in your diet that you need? Want to have peace of mind that you are getting all the essential minerals your body needs to stay healthy? Well, here are 7 easy ways tomatoes can quickly help. But first, a bit about the tomato plant.

The Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), like the potato (Solanum tuberosum), is a fruit from the NIGHTSHADE family of plants that originate from South America. However, the DEADLY NIGHTSHADE (Solanum nigrum) is an EXTREMELY POISONOUS plant, and, therefore, its Solanum relatives, like the tomato plant, also carry toxicity – but not quite as much.

Fortunately, tomato and potato plants carry their poisons in their GREEN parts, especially in the leaves and stems. Steroidal alkaloids like SOLANINE have atropine-like effects on the nervous system, but thankfully these are NOT present in edible potato tubers or tomato fruits.

Botanically, tomatoes are FRUITS because they carry SEEDS. However, they are generally eaten and prepared like a VEGETABLE as they are not as sweet as sugar-laden fruits like blueberries, strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, oranges, and apples.

7 Health Benefits of Tomatoes

1. Tomatoes are famous for being the primary dietary source of the powerful antioxidant LYCOPENE. Lycopene occurs mainly in RIPE tomato SKINS, so NEVER peel a tomato. The more REDDER the fruit, the MORE lycopene it holds. Beneficial lycopene is formed when tomato fruits RIPEN and turn from green to RED.

2. Tomatoes are also high in POTASSIUM, VITAMIN C, B9, and K1. Just one tomato gives around a QUARTER of the recommended daily intake of Vitamin C. Potassium is beneficial for controlling blood pressure. At the same time, vitamin K1 is good for the bones and blood. Vitamin B9 (folate) is suitable for tissue growth, especially during pregnancy.

3. The essential compounds in tomatoes are the RED and YELLOW colored antioxidants LYCOPENE and BETA CAROTENE, respectively.

4. NARINGENIN is a flavonoid in tomato skin, and CHLOROGENIC ACID is an antioxidant linked with lowering blood pressure.

5. Amazingly, tomato KETCHUP, JUICE, PASTE, and SAUCES are the RICHEST sources of lycopene in the poor Western diet. A standard amount supplies us with FOUR-FIFTHS of our dietary lycopene. So, who said that processed foods are always bad for you? Weight-for-weight, the levels of LYCOPENE in PROCESSED tomato products are often MUCH HIGHER than in the fresh fruit as there is less water in concentrated processed tomato products. However, BE AWARE of the ADDED SUGARS in tomato ketchup! It is still better to eat FRESH TOMATOES whenever possible because of the other tomato nutrients mentioned above.

6. Tomatoes Boost Heart Health. Heart attacks and strokes are the MOST common cause of death in industrialized countries. A study in middle-aged men found that LOW blood levels of lycopene and beta-carotene INCREASED the risk of heart attacks and strokes.

7. Clinical studies of tomato products show a PROTECTIVE EFFECT on blood vessels that could decrease blood clotting risk.

Things to Know About Tomatoes

Ripening tomatoes release ETHYLENE, C2H2. Commercially, tomatoes are harvested and transported while green and immature. They are then sprayed with ethylene gas to prevent flavor development. That is the SOURCE of tasteless tomatoes.

The ripening of green tomatoes is accelerated by wrapping them in old newspapers and leaving them on the kitchen table for a few days. However, they should be checked daily for ripeness.

Tomato Side Effects

Tomato allergy is VERY RARE, but pollen fever sufferers tend to be more allergic. Supplementation with pure plant-derived minerals may benefit susceptible types that get reactions like itchy mouths, scratchy throats, latex allergies, or even swelling of the mouth or throat.

All in all, tomatoes are juicy, full of antioxidants, and may help fight several maladies. They are high in lycopene and form part of a healthy diet. If you know what you are doing, the above will help you get and maintain the essential minerals your body needs from tomatoes.

Your ultimate levels of minerals, vitamins, and antioxidants from tomatoes can be reached if you take note of the principles given in this article. Getting the proper mineral balance is not a pipe dream and has nothing to do with genetic makeup. Use the information here, and very soon, you will have confidence and satisfaction that you have the correct minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and especially the lycopene your body needs from tomatoes.