Nothing says “summer” to me than catching a juicy plump tomato off the vine in my garden. Only the image of a tomato in my mind conjures up happy memories of backyard barbecues and lunch of fresh salads. Where Whenever there is party food, you’re sure to find the tomato.

The tomato is one of the most popular and widely consumed fruit (vegetable?) In the world, and for good reason. Add pizzazz to pizza, a taste of soups, which is the focus for the sauce and bring a vegetable tray alive with color and taste juicy.

 Tomatoes are not just pretty. They are also very healthy. In fact, scientific research on tomato has shown that people who regularly consume tomatoes are doing their good body. Here are the reasons to add tomatoes to your diet more than twice a week.

1. health eyes – Research has shown that lycopene and other carotenids (the pigments that cause red fruit) may help prevent macular degeneration to … one of the major causes of vision loss in adults.
2. Cholesterol – Research has shown that the components of this Fruit block the production of bad cholesterol. “
3. Circulation and heart health – Recent studies have shown the gel around the seeds can improve blood flow and circulation in small blood vessels. Components of all the fruit has also been demonstrated to dramatically reduce the risk of heart disease.
4. Skin – Ah, yes, even your skin benefits when you eat salsa marinara. Lycopene has been scientifically proven to help protect your skin from sun damage. Not only that, but people who eat more were shown to have a 33% protection from sunburn.
5. Colds and flu – The high content of vitamin C means you have extra protection against the virus. Vitamin C is also an essential component in healing cuts and wounds.
6. Respiratory – A new study found that exercise-induced asthma was reduced in people who eat ‘red’.
7. Cancer – Everybody knows someone who has been touched by cancer. Would not it be great if you could reduce your risk by eating more of something that tastes good? Oh, yes you can. Science has shown that people who eat sauces and juices red more cut their risk of most cancers. (Hint: In combination with broccoli, this dynamic duo was found to protect against prostate cancer than if you consume only)

Besides all the health benefits, the tomato has umami. Umami is the fifth taste, often referred to as “tasty.” The umami taste is lost for vegetarians, because it is most often contributed by meat. The finish is “full mouth” which gives a soup of “body.” Only a few plants have umami and tomatoes is one of them. It is therefore we love tomato sauce.

How do you get the most out of your tomatoes? Slightly cooked and eaten with just a touch of fat seems to be the consensus to make the most of your food. This seems to be one of the few cases where the nutrient profile of a food is actually enhanced by cooking. Do not over fat, however. A tablespoon of olive oil in a pot of sauce should do the trick.

Eating tomatoes and stay healthy.

About the Author

Shelley Penney is a retired registered nurse with a continued, insatiable thirst for health and wellness information. Although Shelley hails from traditional medical training, she is always searching for ways in which the natural world of healing herbs, foods and supplements can intersect with traditional medicine and benefit us all.

Visit Shelley on the web : http://www.shelleypenney.com/

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