“Honey, let’s eat tomatoes ripe”… Especially good for men

As the European proverb goes, "When tomatoes turn red, doctors' faces turn green," tomatoes are a vegetable with countless benefits. They can be prepared in a variety of ways, whether eaten raw or added to dishes, offering a variety of enjoyments. Based on data from the American health media outlet Health, we introduce the benefits of tomatoes.

 

The most outstanding ingredient in tomatoes is lycopene. Lycopene, the substance that gives tomatoes their red color, binds to reactive oxygen species generated during cellular metabolism and helps remove them from the body. Reactive oxygen species are substances that cause aging and damage DNA, and lycopene's antioxidant properties suppress dangerous factors within human DNA. In essence, tomatoes 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. One study found that tomatoes significantly increased the levels of immune cells, including those that protect against viruses.

 

It is also good for anti-cancer effects

 

Consuming tomatoes can reduce the risk of cancer. The antioxidants in tomatoes, beta-carotene and lycopene, possess anticancer properties. Antioxidants prevent DNA damage in cells that can cause cancer and lead to cell death. Studies have shown that men who consume a high intake of tomatoes, particularly cooked tomatoes, have a reduced risk of prostate cancer. Furthermore, studies have shown that non-starchy vegetables like tomatoes can reduce the risk of breast, colon, and lung cancer.

 

Helps improve heart health

 

A diet rich in tomatoes may reduce the risk of heart disease, the leading cause of death among American adults. A 2022 study reported that high intakes of lycopene and high blood levels of antioxidants were associated with a reduced risk of heart disease. Specifically, those who ate the most tomatoes had a 14% reduced risk of heart disease. Tomato sauce and olive oil showed the strongest effects, likely due to the increased absorption of lycopene, the researchers speculated.

 

Increase male fertility

 

A 2017 study examined the effects of 7 ounces of tomato juice daily for 12 weeks on infertile men compared to antioxidant capsules or a placebo. The results showed that tomato juice significantly increased blood lycopene levels and sperm motility compared to the placebo group.

 

Essential for a healthy brain

 

Antioxidants in tomatoes, such as lycopene, may help prevent Alzheimer's disease. Studies have shown that people over 70 with higher lycopene intake experience slower cognitive decline. Lycopene, an antioxidant found in tomatoes, protects against free radicals that damage brain cells. Taking steps to prevent brain cell damage can help maintain and even improve attention, memory, and problem-solving skills.

 

Tomatoes are often eaten with sugar. However, this is a bad habit. While sugar may be sweet and palatable, it also increases nutritional loss. The Seoul Food Safety Information Center also advises against eating tomatoes with sugar.

Vitamin B in tomatoes facilitates carbohydrate metabolism in the body, increasing the efficiency of calorie production. However, if you eat tomatoes with sugar, vitamin B is overtaken by sugar metabolism, thus losing its effectiveness. It's best to eat tomatoes raw. Because tomatoes are rich in potassium, it's physiologically better to eat them with a little salt rather than sugar.