Tomato
properties

Health benefits
of the tomato

According to clinical studies, regular tomato consumption has been associated with better skin health, reduced risk of heart disease and lower incidence of certain types of cancer. Rich in lycopene and other plant compounds, tomatoes boost the skin’s resistance to sun exposure, pollution and smoking, in addition to promoting collagen production. Lycopene in tomatoes has been linked to a reduced risk of heart disease as it protects blood vessels and reduces clotting. A lower incidence of prostate, lung and stomach cancer has also been seen in relation to tomato consumption, based on clinical studies.

Vitamin
blast

Tomatoes contain high levels of vitamin A and flavonoid antioxidants such as alpha- and beta-carotene, xanthines and lutein. Together, these pigment compounds have been shown to have antioxidant properties and are involved in night vision, maintaining healthy mucosa as well as healthy skin and bones. The consumption of flavonoid-rich fresh vegetables and fruits is known to help provide protection from lung and oral cavity cancers.

Moreover, tomatoes are also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C (providing 21% of the recommended daily intake per 100 g). Consuming foods rich in vitamin C helps the body to develop resistance against infectious agents and scavenge free radicals.

Fresh tomatoes are rich in potassium. 100 g contain 237 mg of potassium and only 5 mg of sodium. Potassium is an important component of cell and body fluids that helps control heart rate and blood pressure caused by sodium. In addition, tomatoes contain average levels of B-type vitamins such as folate, thiamin, niacin, riboflavin and some essential minerals like iron, calcium, manganese and other trace elements.

Medicinal benefits

Monterosa tomatoes also have many medicinal properties. Amongst the health benefits of tomatoes, vision improvements can be highlighted. Monterosa tomatoes are also good for intestinal health and they help improve blood pressure. They are good for diabetes problems, skin diseases and urinary tract infections. All of this makes tomatoes a really healthy choice for helping to prevent heart problems as well as providing proven properties that contribute to cancer prevention.

Due to their complete range of properties, dieticians and nutritionists often recommend tomatoes in dietary programmes aimed at cholesterol control as well as weight reduction plans.

It has been discovered that the antioxidants present in tomatoes can protect against cancers such as colon, prostate, breast, endometrium, lung and pancreatic tumours. The total ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) of this plant is 367 pmol TE/100 g.

Antioxidant

Lycopene, a flavonoid antioxidant is a unique phytochemical compound that can be found in tomatoes. Red fruit varieties tend to have more of this antioxidant. Together with carotenoids, lycopene may help protect cells and other structures of the human body from harmful oxygen free radicals. Studies show that lycopene protects the skin from ultraviolet rays (UV) and, therefore, provides a defence against skin cancer.

Zeaxanthine is another flavonoid compound that is abundant in this plant. Zeaxanthine helps protect the eyes from the “macula damage caused by age-related macular degeneration” (AMD) in the elderly by filtering harmful ultraviolet rays.

Source of minerals

Monterosa tomatoes are a source of potassium, phosphorus and magnesium. They also provide a high quantity of B vitamins (B1, B2, B5) and, above all, vitamins C and A. Notable among the properties of tomatoes are their protective effect against cardiovascular diseases. This brand of pink tomato is a rich source of antioxidants.

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Contribution to a healthy diet

How can tomatoes help us lose weight? Their low calorie content (just 18 calories per 100 grams of tomato) and high water content (tomatoes are more than 90 percent water) satiate hunger while keeping blood sugar levels stable. This means that eating tomatoes prevents further hunger pangs, unlike with other types of food that provide a rapid rise (and consequent drop) in blood sugar levels.

Moreover, tomatoes contain a lot of potassium, which detoxifies the body and prevents water retention, as well as many antioxidants, which help them provide the correct nutritional balance.

Another unique way that tomatoes help fight fat is their ability to reverse resistance to leptin, a type of protein that helps regulate the metabolic rate and appetite.

Tomatoes are also rich in soluble and insoluble fibre. The former forms a viscous substance in the large intestine and acts as a food source for good intestinal bacteria, helping to increase the sense of satiety, while insoluble fibre binds with fat and prevents its absorption and, consequently, weight gain.

Finally, tomato consumption is good for digestion. The fibre in tomatoes is conducive to healthy and correct digestion, helping with bowel movement, preventing constipation and generally improving the digestive process.

Poor digestion is closely linked to weight gain. Without a good digestive system, the ability to absorb and assimilate nutrients is reduced, while the body’s difficulties in eliminating waste and toxins increase. This can affect the metabolism, slowing it down, with the consequent negative effect on the ability to lose weight.