Tomatoes are a staple in most cuisines across the world. This versatile ingredient is used to add flavour and enhance the taste of a variety of dishes. Though the tomato is a fruit, it is widely considered a vegetable for cooking purposes. They can be easily grown in the kitchen garden as well. From pasta to ketchup, they have multiple culinary uses. Talking particularly about Indian cuisine, tomato is an essential ingredient in most savoury dishes, including curries, chutneys, and salads.
It is also used to make desserts like tomato halwa and barfi. It can also be eaten on its own with a seasoning of your choice. Apart from this, we all know the importance of tomato-onion gravy; it is the base of most vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. This tangy fruit is commonly used in pureed, chopped, or blanched form. And if nothing else, fresh tomato juice with some sugar and a hint of cardamom make for a refreshing drink during the summer. It is also used as a base ingredient in popular cocktails, such as the Bloody Mary. This beautiful and versatile fruit is not only important for our cooking but is also beneficial for our health. They are packed with many essential nutrients, including potassium and vitamins.
With that being said, here are five reasons to include tomatoes in your diet:
Improves Vision
Vitamin A is an essential nutrient for good eyesight, and a deficiency can lead to blindness over time. But tomatoes are packed with vitamin A, which makes them an important food item to consume for a healthy vision. In addition, it is also a good source of lycopene, which can protect your eyes from the damage of free radicals.
Controls Blood Pressure
A high amount of sodium is responsible for an increase in blood pressure, and a low sodium intake helps keep the blood pressure under control. High potassium intake also lowers the amount of sodium in the body by removing the extra through the kidneys. Tomatoes are rich in potassium and, therefore, can help control blood pressure.
Good For Heart
Tomatoes are rich in nutrients like fibre, potassium, vitamin C, and choline, which are good for maintaining a healthy heart. According to Healthline, a low level of lycopene and beta-carotene in the blood increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Therefore, add tomatoes to your regular diet to keep your heart healthy.
Beneficial For Skin Health
The high quantity of potassium and vitamin C present in this fruit improves dull skin and acts as a rejuvenator. Tomatoes are also rich in lycopene and other plant-based compounds that treat sunburn and other skin problems caused by ageing and ultraviolet exposure. It is also known to prevent acne.
Cancer Prevention
According to Healthline, the uncontrollable growth of abnormal cells is the main reason for cancer. Free radicals trigger oxidative stress, which highly damages the cells by affecting their essential elements like DNA and cell membranes. Antioxidants such as lycopene and polyphenols present in tomatoes prevent the growth of free radicals and make them less reactive.