TOMATOES

Benefits  

• Good source of carotenoids and potassium.
• Useful source of Vitamins C and E.

Drawbacks

• Common trigger of allergies, especially eczema.
• Green tomatoes may cause migraine in susceptible people.

As well as being delicious in salads, tomatoes are extremely good for you. For instance, recent research carried out in Britain suggests that lycopene, the carotenoid pigment that turns tomatoes red, may help to prevent some forms of Cancer by lessening the damage caused by Free Radicals.

Tomatoes are a good source of both potassium and beta carotene and they are a useful source of Vitamins C and E, while containing very few kilojoules. Two medium-sized tomatoes contain only around 92 kilojoules between them - a fact that makes them a useful element in any weight-reducing diet. Common varieties include the small, sweet cherry tomatoes, Italian plum tomatoes, and the round, slicing tomatoes. Yellow varieties are sweeter with a higher sugar content.

Some people have adverse reactions to tomatoes. Recurrent mouth ulcers and eczema can be signs that tomatoes do not agree with you. The solanine in green tomatoes can trigger migraine.

Return To The Following Index Pages:

1. Fruit
2. Vegetables
3. Herbs & Spices
4. Vitamins & Minerals