Cherry Tomato
(and several other varieties)
Health and Nutritional Benefits
- Cherry tomatoes are technically fruits but they are mostly considered as vegetables because of their nutritional values. It is low in calories, with zero fat, no cholesterol, low in sodium and packed with vitamins A, C, K and potassium.
- Cherry tomatoes can be perfect for those trying to lose weight. Not only do they taste good, a cup of these fruits only has 25 to 30 calories, which will keep the person satiated for hours while only consuming about 2% of one’s daily caloric needs. Furthermore, it is a good source of fiber that helps in improving digestion and maintaining body weight.
- Consuming cherry tomatoes can help prevent hypertension because of its high level of potassium that helps the body in regulating fluid balance and excreting sodium.
- Packed with antioxidants, cherry tomatoes can help prevent cancer, heart disease and other illnesses caused by free radicals. The fruit contains vitamin C, lycopene, and beta-carotene, which all help in expelling toxic substances from the body. Lycopene is an excellent antioxidant that has been effective in preventing cancer. Studies have shown that the content of lycopene increases substantially when tomatoes are cooked as compared to raw tomatoes. In other words, eating tomatoes in the cooked form is much healthier than raw tomatoes.
Sources:
Kiple, Kenneth F., ed. (2000). The Cambridge World History of Food. 1. p. 352.