Tomatoes are assumed as vegetables by many. However, Tomatoes, on the other hand, are actually a citrus fruit. They were called "pommes d'amour" in French, which means "love apples." Despite being a fruit, tomatoes are frequently used in savory recipes, which is why they are often referred to be a vegetable in the culinary world. But who cares when tomatoes are as delicious as they are? We can all agree that tomatoes are convenient snacks, tasty in stews, and a healthy food source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals.

Tomatoes are a nutritious and useful food and most of us consume this fruit, whether cooked or raw. It is also beneficial for us to drink its juice because it has many health benefits. A single tomato can supply up to 40% of the daily required vitamin C intake. Tomatoes also contain vitamin A, which helps with immunity, vision, and skin health, as well as vitamin K, which is beneficial for bones. Tomatoes also contain potassium, an important nutrient for heart health, muscle contractions, and blood pressure and fluid balance. And the antioxidant lycopene is found in tomatoes (which also gives them their red color), higher lycopene levels in the blood have been related to a lower death rate in persons with metabolic syndrome (a group of risk factors that increases the risk of heart disease, diabetes, and stroke). Lycopene is also beneficial to your eyes, tomatoes also include lutein and beta carotene, both of which are peeper-protective nutrients that help to maintain eyesight and prevent against eye problems including cataracts and macular degeneration.

According to studies, combining tomato paste and olive oil protects against UV damage while also increasing pro-collagen formation, a chemical that gives the skin its structure and keeps it tight. The lycopene in tomatoes, according to scientists, is crucial: it's at its highest concentration in cooked tomatoes (while olive oil boosts its absorption from your digestive system into your bloodstream).

NO I Ayesa Gay Bejerano, RND

References:

Tomatoes 101: Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/foods/tomatoes

Things to know about Tomato

https://www.executivegourmet.ph/things-to-know-about-tomato/

7 health benefits of tomatoes

https://chicagohealthonline.com/7-health-benefits-of-tomatoes/