Tomatoes are so commonly found that many may not think much about them. But they are actually very nutritious. In fact, tomatoes are sometimes considered a super-food. Here are the reasons why.

Tomatoes are high in phytonutrient lycopene, which has been shown to reduce the risk of many types of cancer, especially prostate cancer. Lycopene is also good for the heart and can help prevent heart diseases.

Tomatoes are filled with a wide variety of nutrients. It is rich in vitamins C and B (e.g. B6, thiamine, niacin, folate, and pantothenic acid). It is a good source of minerals like potassium, chromium, biotin, lutein, zeaxanthin, as well as nutrients like carotene. Together, the entire package of nutrients and antioxidants packed in tomatoes can offer you superb protection against sunburn. This means that you can get to enjoy the health-promoting benefits of sunlight without incurring the cancer-causing risk of sunburn.

Cook your tomatoes for more easily absorbed lycopene. Do keep the skin on, as that’s where the nutrients are most dense. And if you can, choose cherry tomatoes when they are in season, as they have the most skin and nutrients.

References
[1] Collins, Elise Marie. An A-Z Guide to Healing Foods: A Shopper’s Companion. San Francisco, California: Conari Press, 2009. Print.

Cindy L. TJOL is trained in Psychology, Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine. She has several years of experience writing on natural health on the internet. Follow her on her blog and read her other articles at Insights On Health.com.