Believe it or not, the "love apple" is good for one's health. Of course everybody knows that tomatoes are good for the health. For instance, it contains calcium, Vitamin C and lycopene that are good for such diseases and conditions as cancer, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Here are some surprising information on the healthful attributes of the "love apple".
Background.
Tomatoes are loved for their fresh taste and the versatile role they play in cooking. But research indicates there may be another reason to love them --- they're loaded with lycopene (LY-ko-pene). Lycopene is a plant chemical (phytochemical) that gives tomatoes their red color. It also appears to offer potential health benefits.
Inside your tomato.
Tomatoes contain many nutrients, among them vitamins C and B complex and the minerals iron and potassium. Also in the mix are carotenoids (kuh-ROT-uh-noids). These include lycopene and beta carotene, which are converted into vitamin A by your body.
Lycopene gets high marks from researchers for its apparently potent antioxidant properties. Antioxidants are thought to neutralize harmful substances in the body called free radicals. These molecules, which result from normal cell metabolism as well as other causes, may increase your risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Possible health benefits.
Research into dietary lycopene suggests it may lower risk of:
Heart attack. A study of more than 1,300 European men suggested that those consuming the most lycopene from foods had about half the risk of heart attack as men who consumed less.
Prostate cancer. A 5-year study of 48,000 men found that those eating 10 servings a week of cooked tomato products had the lowest risk of prostate cancer. Their risk was one-third that of men eating less than two servings a week. Other studies suggest that lycopene may play a role in reducing the risk of other cancers, including colon, rectal and breast cancers.
Source: www.lutongbahay.com
by: celebrity recipes magazine
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