What You Need to Know About Tomatoes

Tomatoes are rich in vitamin A and potassium and low in calories, which is probably enough to qualify as a nutrient-dense superfood. Eating tomatoes and tomato-based products has been associated with a lower risk of some types of cancers and cardiovascular disease. While that may be true, eating a diet rich in all types of fruits and vegetables has been associated with a lower risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer, too. So it's difficult to say for sure how much of that affect is specifically due to tomatoes.

There is a compound in tomatoes called lycopene, which is a carotenoid that's related to vitamin A and beta carotene. Studies suggest that lycopene works as an antioxidant and may be one reason why tomatoes could have such health protective qualities as cancer prevention. Some population studies indicate tomatoes and lycopene may reduce the risk of prostate cancer, but more clinical studies need to be done to know for sure.

Lycopene may be also good for your heart. Research suggests that having ample amounts of lycopene in the blood may prevent atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and cardiovascular disease in general. One study also found that 25 milligrams or more of lycopene reduces LDL cholesterol levels (the bad kind). It would be difficult to get that much lycopene from raw tomatoes, but lycopene is concentrated by cooking or processing. You could get that much lycopene by eating about 3/4 cup of tomato sauce every day.

Nutrition Information

One medium-sized raw tomato (2 3/5 inches in diameter) has 22 calories and 1.5 grams of fiber. It's a good source of potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin A, vitamin E and vitamin K. A tomato also has almost no fat, 1 gram of protein and about 4.0 grams of carbohydrates.

Eat More Tomatoes

Tomatoes are easy to find in any grocery store. Fresh tomatoes range in size from large beefsteak tomatoes to small cherry tomatoes, and are available year-round. Select firm, ripe tomatoes that don't have any bruises or discoloration. Canned tomatoes, sauces, salsas and soups can be purchased and stored unopened in your pantry. After they're open, store any leftovers in the refrigerator.

Need some ideas to incorporate more tomatoes into your diet? Try these healthy recipes:

• Sun-Dried Tomato Spaghetti Sauce
• Tomato Saffron Chicken
• Late Summer Vegetable Stew
• Basil, Corn, Tomato Salad

More About Tomatoes

• Are Tomatoes Bad for Your Health?
• Tomatoes May Lower Cancer Risk
• Quick Ideas for Fresh Tomatoes

_Sources:

_{Kerbel B, PharmD "Lycopene - Professional Monograph." Natural Standard, copyright 2012.}

_{Riccioni G, Scotti L, Di Ilio E, Bucciarelli V, Ballone E, De Girolamo M, D' Orazio N, Martini F, Aceto A, Bucciarelli T. "Lycopene and preclinical carotid atherosclerosis." J Biol Regul Homeost Agents. 2011 Jul-Sep;25(3):435-41.}

_{Ried K, Fakler P. "Protective effect of lycopene on serum cholesterol and blood pressure: Meta-analyses of intervention trials." Maturitas. 2011 Apr;68(4):299-310.}

_{Sesso HD, Liu S, Gaziano JM, Buring JE. "Dietary lycopene, tomato-based food products and cardiovascular disease in women." J Nutr. 2003 Jul;133(7):2336-41.}

_{United States Department of Agriculture, National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference Release 24. "Nutrient data for 11529, Tomatoes, red, ripe, raw, year round average." Accessed February 7, 2012. http://ndb.nal.usda.gov/ndb/foods/show/3289.}