Health & Life

The sour-sweet fruit that stabilizes blood sugar and fights aging: Affordable and easily available.

An ordinary fruit sold year-round in Vietnamese markets hides many amazing benefits that few people know about.

16 March, 2024

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Tomato, a fruit that is indispensable in the daily life of the Vietnamese people. Not only enjoying its delicious and unique taste, tomatoes can also be versatile in many delicious dishes, or juiced with a refreshing taste.

According to information from the US Department of Agriculture, one fresh tomato contains only 22 calories and 1g of fat. In particular, tomatoes have low sodium content, low blood sugar levels (with 6mg of sodium and 3g of sugar), while providing a significant amount of nutrients, thereby bringing many health benefits.

Lower blood sugar

For people with type 2 diabetes, tomatoes become an essential component of their daily diet. Chromium, a mineral in tomatoes, has the effect of controlling blood sugar levels.

A study has shown that when adding cooked tomatoes to the diet for 30 days, people with diabetes have seen a significant reduction in lipid peroxidation – a series of reactions where free radicals attack fat, increasing the risk of heart disease. This becomes even more important when we know that diabetes doubles the risk of stroke and heart disease.

In addition, the fiber in tomatoes slows down the process of sugar absorption in the intestines. Moreover, the carbohydrate content in tomatoes is very low, helping to stabilize blood sugar levels.

Cancer prevention

According to information from Healthline, tomatoes are known for their ability to fight cancer cells, especially breast and prostate cancer cells. Tomatoes contain a large amount of beta-carotene, an active substance that can effectively prevent and treat breast cancer.

In addition, tomatoes are also rich in naringin and naringenin, substances with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, helping to combat oxidative stress and the attack of free radicals in the body. Therefore, this type of food has the ability to protect the body from diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart, and kidney diseases.

Reduce the risk of memory loss

Potassium, an essential element, contributes to providing energy for the heart and participating in the activity of the nervous system throughout the body. Moreover, potassium also has the ability to prevent cognitive decline and symptoms of memory loss in older adults.

Lutein and zeaxanthin, two prominent members of the carotenoid family, play an important role in bringing special colors to fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes. Not only that, these substances also have positive effects on brain health, helping to prevent memory decline.

Eating tomatoes helps reduce the risk of memory loss

Heart-healthy

Lycopene, an antioxidant, has the ability to protect cells in our body from the negative effects of oxidation. According to a study called “Clinical evidence comparison of tomato consumption and lycopene supplementation for cardiovascular risk reduction” published in 2014, people who regularly consume foods rich in lycopene have a lower risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke.

Lycopene not only reduces bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure, thereby helping to reduce the risk of heart disease but also contributes to providing various vitamins and nutrients for the body. With the abundance of vitamins B, E and flavonoids, tomatoes have become a valuable source of nutrition, contributing to improving heart health.

Improve vision

In addition to being rich in lycopene, tomatoes also contain many other nutrients such as lutein and beta-carotene, which are beneficial for eye health. A study has confirmed that these nutrients help protect the eyes from diseases such as cataracts, while supporting overall visual health improvement.

Tomatoes, with their abundance of substances like zeaxanthin and lutein, play a crucial role in protecting vision from the negative effects of blue light from digital devices, such as smartphones. Moreover, these substances also help reduce headaches caused by eye strain.

Slow down the aging process

Tomatoes are a treasure trove of B-group vitamins including B1, B3, B5, B6, and B9. These vitamins are famous for their anti-aging properties, helping to minimize wrinkles, fine lines, as well as soothe hyperpigmentation and limit the damage from sunlight.

Lycopene, a component present in tomatoes, plays an important role in maintaining skin firmness. It acts as an inhibitor of collagenase – an enzyme responsible for breaking down collagen in the skin, thereby improving elasticity and firmness.

Maintain weight

Fresh tomatoes, with only about 22 calories per average-sized fruit, are an excellent low-calorie food choice. In particular, tomatoes contain a large amount of fiber and water, helping to increase the feeling of fullness after each meal while supporting weight maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

Tomatoes are rich in lycopene, an antioxidant that protects our body’s cells from oxidation. Regular consumption of lycopene-rich foods is associated with a reduced risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and stroke. Additionally, lycopene helps lower bad cholesterol levels and blood pressure, contributing to improved heart health.

Tomatoes contain lycopene, lutein, and beta-carotene, which are all beneficial for eye health. These nutrients protect against cataracts and other eye diseases. They also help reduce the negative impact of blue light from digital devices on our vision and can alleviate headaches caused by eye strain.

Fresh tomatoes are low in calories, with only about 22 calories per average-sized fruit. They are also packed with fiber and water, which promote a feeling of fullness after meals, making them an excellent choice for those watching their weight.

Yes, tomatoes are a good source of potassium, which is essential for heart health and the nervous system. They also contain carotenoids like lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help prevent memory loss. Additionally, tomatoes are rich in B-group vitamins, which have anti-aging properties and can improve skin elasticity and firmness.