5 Reasons More Tomatoes in Your Diet Could be Good for Your Health

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.care2.com/causes/5-reasons-more-tomatoes-in-your-diet-could-be-good-for-your-health.html

by Steve Williams



For some people around the world tomatoes are a staple in their diet, but it wasn’t until this past 200 years or so that people in the West have truly embraced the tomato because, with it being a member of the nightshade family, they were a bit worried it might be poisonous. It’s a good job we’ve all changed our minds though, because it turns out that as well as being delicious, tomatoes actually might be quite good for us — and that’s putting it mildly.

Here are five reasons to pick up tomatoes the next time you are at the market, with a few serving suggestions to help you rustle up some tomato dishes to boot:

1. Tomatoes are Packed With Healthy Nutrients

The nutritional profile tomatoes sport is pretty impressive. They’re rich in vitamins A and C as well as folic acid. They also contain a number of healthful compounds including alpha-lipoic acid which, some evidence suggests can help our bodies regulate our blood sugar better. In addition, the fiber content of tomatoes could be good for preventing or managing diabetes symptoms.

Serving suggestion: Stuffed tomatoes are a versatile dish that can be used as a spectacular side dish or a delectable main course. If you’re particularly concerned about getting more fiber, cherry tomatoes are particularly packed (about 2 grams per cup) so add them to your next salad.

2. What Makes Tomatoes Red also Might Cut Prostate Cancer Risk

FULL story at link.

[malaise]

1. We adore tomatoes

They are a part of at least one meal a day in our home.

[Marrah_G]

2. We eat lots of them also!

Such a versatile ingredient.

[justiceischeap]

3. Long-time tomato eater here

I love 'em. I wish they were as good as when I was a kid but I still love 'em. When I was a kid there was this guy in our neighborhood, "Old man Dave" and he grew tomatoes and sold them at his card table alongside the road. We'd go visit him if we wanted a snack while playing. We'd sit in a chair with Dave and listen to his stories as we ate sun-warmed tomatoes off the vine.