Quick, name three dishes off the top of your head that makes liberal use of Tomato sauce.

Easy, right? Did you think of a soup, or a baked dish, or a casserole? A pizza, maybe, or a pasta dish? You may have even thought of a drink, or a salad, or even a sandwich.

The fact is that the tomato is a popular, ubiquitous part of American dining lifestyle. From street food to fine dining, the tomato has found itself revered and relished. The Health and dieting community is no exception, as many meals and meal plans include the fruit in their recipes, sometimes as the key ingredient tying the dish together.

The tomato – as well as tomato paste, sauce, and juice to certain extents – are well-loved as a health food because of the many nutrients found in the fruit, as well as its low calorie count. It’s the perfect addition to any salad or dish in need of a tangy dash of flavor, and on its own it makes for a healthy snack.

Let’s talk about the tomato in today’s Fast Metabolism Diet Community article.

A VERY TOMATO REMINDER

The tomato’s scientific name is Solanum lycopersicum, which makes the tomato a part of the nightshade family. It’s native to South and Central America. Officially classified as a fruit in botany, the tomato is nonetheless treated like a vegetable, as it features prominently in many dishes all over the world.

Now, in terms of Health Benefits, the tomato is perhaps most well-known as a source of lycopene, which is an antioxidant known for improving skin and eye health, as well as reduced risk of cancer and other serious illnesses.

What are the health benefits to be gained from the tomato, though?

THE TOMATO NUTRIENT TABLE

At first blush, the tomato is a great source of folate, potassium, and vitamins C and K. At a whopping 95% water content, the tomato is light on calories, clocking in at just 18 calories per 100 gram serving size. It has a decent carbohydrate content, as well: it contains 3.9 grams of carbs per 100 grams fresh raw tomato, along with 2.6 grams sugar, 1.2 grams dietary fiber, 0.9 grams protein, and 0.2 grams fat for the same serving size.

Aside from lycopene, the tomato is also a great source of beta carotene, chlorogenic acid, and naringenin, which are antioxidants that help greatly in keeping us healthy. Naringenin lowers the risk of inflammation, while chlorogenic acid helps manage blood pressure.

WRAPPING IT UP

There you have it – the health benefits of the classic tomato. Of course, the nutrients vary in concentration depending on how you consume it – the process in making tomato paste, for example, affects both the flavor and the sodium content of the fruit – but on the whole, you can’t go wrong with the tomato.

Stick to your health and fitness plan even despite the COVID-19 pandemic going on. Stay safe, eat well, and stay healthy!

The post The Beauty (and Health Benefits) of The Tomato appeared first on The Fast Metabolism Diet Community.