Tag: Tomatoes

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), tomatoes are considered a cooling food, prized for their ability to clear heat and generate body fluids. This perspective, however, stands in stark contrast to other holistic health systems like Ayurveda. So, are tomatoes a warming food, and what factors truly influence their effect on your body?

According to the *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*, cooking tomatoes significantly increases lycopene bioavailability. This makes the powerful antioxidant more readily available for absorption.

According to a study published in the *Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry*, thermal processing can dramatically increase a tomato’s antioxidant activity. To make tomatoes healthy, understanding how to prepare and combine them with other foods is key to unlocking their full nutritional potential.

Tomatoes, a member of the nightshade family, were once feared as poisonous by early Europeans due to their association with deadly relatives. While ripe tomatoes are safe and nutritious for most, those with sensitivities or concerns about natural compounds like tomatine and lectins can take simple steps to mitigate any potential issues, learning how to make tomatoes less toxic and more digestible.

While tomatoes are celebrated for their nutritional benefits, excessive consumption can lead to side effects such as acid reflux or skin discoloration. Although generally healthy, a deeper look reveals specific risks that certain individuals should consider before overindulging.

It is a surprising but scientifically backed fact that some everyday vegetables, particularly those in the nightshade family, contain trace amounts of naturally occurring nicotine. While the word nicotine is most often associated with tobacco, the levels present in your food are so minuscule they are considered completely harmless and non-addictive.

While tomatoes may not be a powerhouse of iron on their own, containing a relatively modest amount, their role in iron metabolism is significant. The key lies in their exceptionally high vitamin C content, which dramatically enhances the body's ability to absorb non-heme iron from other plant-based sources.

According to Healthline, a single average-sized raw tomato contains about 1.5 grams of fiber, with most of it being insoluble. This raises a common question for those on restricted diets: are tomatoes ok on a low fibre diet? The answer is nuanced, depending heavily on the preparation method, as the seeds and skin contain the most difficult-to-digest fiber.

Over 2,700 plant species belong to the botanical family Solanaceae, including many common culinary staples that are known as nightshade foods. This guide explores exactly what foods are in the nightshade group, clarifying the science and common misconceptions around them so you can make informed dietary choices.

According to nutritional data, a single large, raw tomato typically contains between 12 and 18 milligrams of calcium. While this is a relatively small amount compared to dairy products, it contributes to your daily mineral intake and offers other valuable nutrients.