The Attack of the Anticancer Tomatoes

Tomatoes are classified as nightshades. This group is a family of herbs, shrubs and some trees that grow in warm climates. More than a century ago, tomatoes were not meant for eating in the United States. They were thought to be poisonous or potent that people stayed away from them.  How wrong they were as the unassuming tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum) is the healthiest food among all fruits and vegetables.

The Tomato Is a Anticancer Fruit

Studies that span decades have resulted in proving the many health benefits of lycopene, a compound found in tomatoes. You can eat a tomato fresh or cooked. However studies show that tomatoes are best cooked in olive oil to better extract its healthy components. When fresh tomato or tomato product is heated, the Lycopene in the tomato increases instead of diminishing.

Anticancer Components

Tomatoes contain the anti-oxidant Lycopene. It has been linked as a very important anti-oxidant that has anticancer property by preventing the formation of cancerous cells. Lycopene is not a component that is naturally produced by the human body that is why supplement is needed for the body to get its supply of the right amount of Lycopene. The human body is loaded with free radicals that need to be flushed out. The consumption of Lycopene is needed at a real high level in order to do this. Tomatoes are full of Lycopene. You only need to consume about 500 milliliters a day to get the full potential of this wonder anticancer fruit.

The good thing about Lycopene is it does not lose its potency in other tomato products. Not everyone has the gumption to drink pure tomato juice. No worry as Lycopene is still 100 % potent and effective in tomato ketchup, tomato paste, puree and any other canned tomato. Fresh tomato is best cooked in oil as Lycopene is best absorbed by the body that way. As a matter of fact, tomatoes are better processed to release the Lycopene.

Health Benefits of Lycopene

Aside from its anti-oxidant property, tomatoes are known to contain nicotinic acid that can help lower blood cholesterol level thus aid in preventing heart disease. It can also help purify blood from toxins. It has also been studied that tomato can actually help prevent liver congestion and can aid in dissolving gallstones. But its greatest medicinal value is Lycopene’s anticancer ability.

A study had researchers introducing Lycopene to cancerous cell cultures and it thwarted the growth of the cancerous cells. This is a hard evidence supporting the claim that Lycopene has had successes in cancerous cells of the cervix, colon, prostate, rectal, the stomach, pharynx, mouth, and esophagus. The cancerous cells were curtailed by very high levels of Lycopene.

There are more researches currently ongoing to connect that concept that including tomatoes and its by-products to the diet can actually check serum lipid oxidation and might actually lessen the danger in the development of loss of vision in the elderly.

Aside from Lycopene tomatoes have the essential nutrients such as vitamins B, C, E and K, minerals like iron, copper and phosphorous. Amazing tomatoes!

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