A tomato is a healthy and dietary vegetable which consists vitamins and minerals, but does it always have a beneficial effect on the human body?

The chemical composition of tomatoes

Consider the chemical composition of a tomato in order to answer this question. The tomato fruit is 90% water, 10% is plant tissue, saturated with various nutrients.

Tomatoes contain vitamins such as A, C, B1, B2, B4, B5, B6, B9, PP.

Most of all in tomatoes, ascorbic acid is vitamin C. In terms of the content of this substance, tomatoes are superior, including citrus fruits. In addition, these fruits contain a large amount of beta-carotene - the “building material” for vitamin A, which is synthesized from it already in the body;

macronutrients - tomatoes contain an almost complete list: calcium, potassium, phosphorus, sulfur, magnesium, sodium, chlorine. Especially a lot of potassium in them - 290 mg;

• trace elements - copper, fluorine, molybdenum, boron, cobalt, nickel, rubidium. Also in smaller quantities - iron, iodine, zinc, selenium, manganese;
• lycopene is a pigment that gives tomatoes an orange-red color. It has powerful antioxidant properties, i.e. able to bind and remove free radicals from the body. The maximum concentration of lycopene is not even in fresh fruits, but in tomato paste.

Tomatoes are low-calorie: 100 mg contains only 20 kcal (in greenhouse tomatoes a little more - 27 kcal). There are practically no fats in tomatoes, the protein content is low and a relatively large amount of carbohydrates and fiber is contained. This product is ideal for those who monitor weight, due to low calorie content.

The benefits of tomatoes for the body

The high content of vitamins and minerals has a beneficial effect on the human body. ascorbic acid, which is found in large quantities in tomatoes, helps to strengthen the immune system; B vitamins involved in the process of hematopoiesis, heal the blood and improve its quality; due to the high potassium content, tomatoes improve the functioning of the heart muscle; iron in tomatoes helps in the fight against anemia and is involved in the synthesis of hemoglobin;

• B vitamins, prevents the occurrence of Alzheimer's disease due to neuroprotective properties;
• chlorine and sodium stabilizes salt metabolism and maintains normal osmotic pressure;
• B vitamins and vitamin A help improve metabolism;
• calcium and phosphorus are the main elements in the composition of bone tissue.

Also, with regular use of tomatoes, the skin will maintain its elasticity longer, and bone tissue strength and density in normal condition. What is relevant for older people. In addition, tomatoes:

• improve the general condition of diabetes;
• in baked form help with exacerbation of pancreatitis;
• weaken the manifestations of clinical depression, help improve mood;
• in fresh form contribute to the elimination of edema;
• normalize blood pressure;
• reduce inflammatory processes, which makes them effective in a number of diseases, including rheumatism and arthritis;
• cleanse the body of toxins;
• effective for skin diseases: masks made from the pulp of tomatoes help eliminate acne and help with eczema.