Wellness The Easy Way: July 2013

Knowledge is knowing a tomato is a fruit;

Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.

First thing to know about tomatoes they are a fruit not a vegetable. (Just in case you did not know yet)

Tomatoes are packed with a variety of nutrients but the one that stands out the most for tomatoes and provides their color is Lycopene.

Lycopene is found in a number of other red fruits and vegetables; such as red carrots, red bell peppers, watermelons, gac, and papayas (but not strawberries or cherries).

Studies have shown people that consume tomatoes regularly have a lower risk of certain types of cancers and diseases. (The Mayo Clinic and American Cancer Society say that more studies need to be done) Studies have been mixed once someone does have certain cancers but in general found good effects. Most of the studies show that it can be a good preventative.

Antioxidant :
Research has shown that like other carotenoids, it has many antioxidant properties including Vitamin C. That your body uses to fight off free radicals.

Asthma caused by exercise :
Studies have suggested that antioxidants can be used as a preventative of asthma that is caused by exercise.

Atherosclerosis (coronary artery disease) :
Due to the antioxidant properties Lycopene can be helpful for people with atherosclerosis or high cholesterol.

Benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) :
People diagnosed with BPH or enlarged prostate are at increased risk of developing prostate cancer and can benefit from adding Lycopene rich foods to their diet and/or taking a Lycopene supplement. Studies suggest that Lycopene can help prevent disease progression in BPH.

Breast cancer prevention :
Studies in animals and humans show that consumption of tomatoes or good Lycopene levels in the body are a good preventative.

Cancer prevention (general) :
Studies have examined large populations to identify the lifestyle factors that affect health. Many of these studies suggest a link between diets high in fruits and vegetables and a decreased risk of developing cancer.

Cervical cancer prevention :
Observations suggest that consumption of tomatoes and/or tomato products can prevent cervical cancer.

Eye disorders (age-related macular degeneration prevention, cataracts) :
The antioxidant properties have been found to be a good preventative therapy for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and cataracts. Some studies have shown peoples eye sight getting better.

Gastrointestinal tract and colorectal cancer prevention :
People that consume tomatoes and/or tomato based products helps prevent digestive tract cancers, including oral, pharyngeal, esophageal, gastric, colon, and rectal.

Gingivitis :
Some evidence that lycopene, may be an effective treatment for gingivitis.

High blood pressure :
Short-term studies have shown Lycopene to lower blood pressure.

High blood pressure associated with pregnancy (pre-eclampsia) :
Lycopene may reduce the development of pre-eclampsia and intrauterine growth retardation in women having their first child.

Infertility :
Recent research has suggested that lycopene can boost sperm concentrations in infertile men. In one study, a lycopene-supplemented diet resulted in a statistically significant improvement in sperm concentration and motility amongst the 30 infertile men being studied with six pregnancies following as a result of the trial.

Lung cancer prevention :
People that regularly eat tomatoes had a lower risk of developing lung cancer.

Ovarian cancer (prevention) :
Lycopene intake seems to lower the risk of ovarian cancer.

Prostate cancer :
Studies of large populations report eating tomatoes/tomato-based products reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer. There is some evidence that lycopene may slow the progression of prostate cancer.

Sun protection :
Lycopene in combination with other carotenoids, such as beta-carotene, vitamins C and E, selenium, and proanthocyanidins, may help in reducing sunburn.

Tomatoes are a good source of Lycopene, that is an excellent preventative to harmful sun UV rays, cancers and inflammation. After reading this you may find yourself eating more tomatoes possibly multiple times a day.

Some people love tomatoes so much they attend La Tomatina is a food fight festival held on the last Wednesday of August each year in the town of Bunol near to Valencia in Spain. Thousands upon thousands of people make their way from all corners of the world to fight in this 'World's Biggest Food Fight' where more than one hundred metric tons of over-ripe tomatoes are thrown in the streets.