"Honey, let's cook the tomatoes"... because it's especially good for men.

 

A tomato that's too good for men... Why choose 'cooked tomatoes' over fresh ones? © Komedii.com

 

 

Just like the European proverb "When the tomato ripens red, the doctor's face turns blue," tomatoes are a vegetable with countless advantages. They can be prepared in various ways, eaten raw, or added to dishes, allowing for diverse enjoyment. Based on information from the American health magazine Health, we introduce the benefits of tomatoes.

The most outstanding component of tomatoes is lycopene. Lycopene, the substance that gives tomatoes their red color, binds with reactive oxygen species produced during cellular metabolism and helps eliminate them from the body. Reactive oxygen species are substances that cause aging and damage DNA, and the antioxidant effect of lycopene suppresses these harmful factors within human DNA. In other words, tomatoes help prevent the aging of human cells.

Activation of immune function

Tomatoes are a source of vitamin C and beta-carotene, antioxidants that support the immune system. According to a study, tomatoes not only have a protective effect against viruses but also significantly increase the levels of immune cells.

Good for anticancer effects

Consuming tomatoes can reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidants in tomatoes, beta-carotene and lycopene, have anticancer properties. Antioxidants prevent DNA damage in cells that can lead to cancer development and the death of cancer cells. In particular, there is research indicating that men who consume a lot of cooked tomatoes have a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Additionally, studies have shown that non-starchy vegetables like tomatoes can also influence the reduction of risks for breast tumors, colon, and lung cancers.

Helps improve heart health

A diet rich in tomatoes can reduce the risk of heart disease, which is a leading cause of death among American adults. A study published in 2022 reported that high intake of lycopene and high blood levels of antioxidants are associated with a decrease in heart disease. In particular, people who consumed a lot of tomatoes had a 14% lower risk of developing heart problems. Tomato sauce and olive oil showed the most potent effects. The research team speculated that this is probably because olive oil enhances the absorption of lycopene.

Increase male fertility

According to a study published in 2017, a 12-week daily intake of 7 ounces of tomato juice was investigated for its effects on antioxidant capsules or placebo in infertile men. As a result, tomato juice significantly increased blood lycopene levels and sperm motility compared to the control (placebo) group.

Essential for a healthy brain

Antioxidants in tomatoes, such as lycopene, can prevent Alzheimer's disease. There are also studies showing that among people over 70 who consume large amounts of lycopene, cognitive decline progresses more slowly. Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, blocks reactive oxygen species that damage brain cells. Efforts to prevent brain cell damage can help maintain and improve attention, memory, and problem-solving abilities.

Eating tomatoes with sugar is common. However, this is an incorrect dietary habit. While adding sugar may make it taste sweeter and more palatable, it results in significant nutritional loss. Seoul City Food Safety Information also advised against consuming tomatoes and sugar together.

The vitamin B in tomatoes helps facilitate carbohydrate metabolism in the human body, increasing energy production efficiency. However, eating tomatoes with added sugar causes the vitamin B to be overshadowed by sugar metabolism, diminishing its effect. It is most desirable to eat tomatoes as they are. Since tomatoes contain a high amount of potassium, physiologically it is better to eat them with a little salt rather than sugar.