Despite botanically categorized as a fruit, Tomato is consumed and cooked like a vegetable.
The red wonder tomato is famous for providing the juicy texture and tangy flavor to dishes. Loaded with essential nutrients, Tomatoes are simply more than just a vibrant addition to our plate. In this article, we’ll discuss incredible health advantages of consuming tomatoes and easy-to-make, tasty recipes to help you incorporate this superfood into your diet.
One whole raw tomato provides 22.5 calories energy, 4.86g carbohydrates, 1.5g dietary fiber, 1.1g protein, 6.25 milligrams sodium, Vitamin C, Potassium, Vitamin K, Folate and other phytochemicals.
Heart Smart: A diet full of tomato has been proven to be reducing death rate by improving cardiovascular health. This mainly because of high concentration of phytochemical named lycopene. As per recent research, antioxidating properties of lycopene reduces risks of heart disease by 14%.
Happy Gut & Smooth Digestion: The major cause of constipation is insufficient dietary fiber consumption. Tomato can provide both soluble and insoluble fiber in abundance which help in improving daily bowel movement. The cellulose, hemicelluloses, and pectin fibers found in tomatoes help forming c.
Tomatoes for Diabetes: A large number of world population suffer from diabetes and prediabetes. Some recent reports suggest that lycopene in tomato prevent type 2 diabetes and reduces inflammation.
Brain Booster: Tomatoes prevent degeneration of brain cells, responsible for dementia or Alzheimer's disease. As people above 60 face decline in cognitive abilities slowly, regular consumption of tomatoes might help them with protective properties.
The Red Shield: Lycopene and Beta-carotene found in tomatoes significantly reduces risks of different cancer types. Regular consumption of tomatoes can prevent DNA damage and cancer cells growth.
Unlock Radiant Skin: Tomato’s high lycopene content prevent your skin from sunburn. Consumption of tomato paste with olive oil has been proven to be highly beneficial for skin health.
In Indian families, tomato is staple, used in different forms everyday. Apart from fresh salad following are some healthy ways to consume tomato to get maximum benefits.
Soup or Chutney: Tomato chutney is one of the famous and easily prepared recipes. You can make it sweet by adding some sugar or jaggery. In Southern part of India, Tomato Rasam is another famous dish consumed regularly. Tomato Sambar is another well-known south Indian delicacy enjoyed across India. For a hearty lunch or light dinner in the upcoming winter season, you can try simple tomato soup.
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Tomato Rice & Dal: Do you love the tangy flavour of tomato? Try tomato rice or tomato dal, you will surely love it. This dal is enjoyed best with steamed rice. To get a wholesome nutrition, prepare tomato pulao with other vegetables. For an unplanned family get together, prepare Tomato biriyani quickly which doesn't need any dum cooking methods.
Aloo Tomato Sabzi: Want energy and tasy side dish to consume after fasting? Prepare lightly spiced potato and tomato curry without onion and garlic.
Apart from that, some other tasty tomato recipes are carrot tomato soup, tomato bhaji, tomato uttapam, tomato cucumber sandwich, tomato omlette, tomato chokha, tomato upma, tomato onion raita, tomato pickle and so on.
While buying tomatoes in the market, choose the organic ones or cultivate them in your garden or balcony. Stay away from those foul smelling and nutrient-lacking artificially ripened tomatoes.
