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How Healthy Are Tomatoes?

Tomatoes have come a long way since the 16th century, when some Europeans called them “poison apples” because they were mistakenly believed to be toxic. Now, they’re the second-most consumed vegetable in the United States (behind only potatoes) and recognized for a range of health benefits... Tomatoes pack a hefty dose of the antioxidant lycopene, whether they’re raw, cooked or sun-dried. Tomatoes and tomato products (ketchup, spaghetti sauce, tomato juice) provide more than 80 percent of the lycopene in the U.S. diet

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  A Tad About Tomatoes (AKA Love-Apples)

Tomatoes are the real deal. I use them all the time, when I cook. So I decided to compile a short write-up of some of its fun facts! Anywho, tomatoes are the edible berries of the plant Solanum lycopersicum, commonly known as the tomato plant. I’m not necessarily a food wiz, folks, I just know how to research things and then concisely bring them here, to share with you!

 Tomatoes & Other Nightshades: Are They Actually Bad for You?

There are some food items you're probably not surprised to learn aren't exactly considered "healthy" — especially when consumed in excess. Coffee drinks. Cured meats. Packaged foods marketed as being low fat. Certain condiments, like honey mustard and mayo. Then there are ... tomatoes? Yes, tomatoes. At least, there's a new hysteria surrounding them. "A few popular reactionary doctors and a notable NFL star (ahem, Tom Brady) have brought a nightshade phobia into the mainstream, so much so that the healthfulness of tomatoes has been called into question," says Amanda Beaver, wellness dietitian at Houston Methodist. At first thought, it seems bizarre. Tomatoes? Bad for you?

Articles of Interest

Accused, Yes, but Probably Not a Killer

We’ve come to eat what we eat based on long but limited experience, and scant understanding. As we learn more, maybe tomato leaves will become a mainstream ingredient. Or maybe not.

An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene

Lycopene is a non-provitamin A carotenoid that is responsible for the red to pink colors seen in tomatoes, pink grapefruit, and other foods. Processed tomato products are the primary dietary lycopene source in the United States. Unlike many other natural compounds, lycopene is generally stable to processing when present in the plant tissue matrix. Recently, lycopene has also been studied in relation to its potential health effects.

Are Tomatoes Good for You?

Whether red, orange, or yellow, these delicious veggies deliver disease-fighting phytochemicals.

Benefits of Tomato And Its Side Effects

Tomato or Solanum lycopersium is generally categorized as a vegetable even if technically it is a fruit. It is the berry of a plant from the nightshade family and is native to South America. Tomatoes not only add flavor to your food but also benefits your health due to the presence of essential nutrients.

Can You Eat Tomato Leaves?

Some may falsely believe that tomato leaves are toxic, but according to Dr. Camila Rodrigues, an assistant professor and food safety extension specialist at Auburn University, there really isn’t much cause for concern. “If people want to use tomato leaves for their recipes in the kitchen," he says, "go ahead and do it!”

Cook tomatoes to boost their health benefits

Tomatoes are packed with nutrients and their benefits are even greater when they are cooked, helping towards lower blood fat levels, quicker post-exercise recovery times, healthier skin and a reduced cancer risk.

Every tomato, everywhere, all at once

Tomatl, you guys, is not a typo. It’s the original name of the plant, given by the indigenous people of Central and South America, where tomatoes were first spotted growing in the wild. When the Spanish arrived in Mexico in the 16th century, they brought tomato seeds back to Europe (some researchers give props to Cortez for that), and the tomatl spread to Italy and was slowly introduced to the local cuisine. In other words, Leonardo Da Vinci (1452–1519), a likely vegetarian, never tasted a tomato in his life. Shakespeare (1564–1616), on the other hand, perhaps did.

From Poison to Passion: The Secret History of the Tomato

Before tomatoes became America’s sweetheart, they were seen as watery, tough and possibly poisonous.

The 10 Healthiest Reasons to Love Tomatoes—Both Fresh and Canned

It’s more than the prize produce of summer or the star of marinara sauce—the humble tomato is very, very good for you,

The Deadly Tomato

Tomatoes were nicknamed "the “poison apple” because it was thought that aristocrats got sick and died after eating them, but the truth of the matter was that wealthy Europeans used pewter plates, which were high in lead content. Because tomatoes are so high in acidity, when placed on this particular tableware, the fruit would leach lead from the plate, resulting in many deaths from lead poisoning.

The History of the Tomato: The Fruit that Spread Round the World

Tomatoes are an essential part of modern cuisine across the entire world, but for most of history, they were completely unknown to people outside of Central America.

Tomatoes provide many health benefits

Tomatoes are not only sweet, delicious and a wonderful addition to many entrees, they are a great source of fiber, potassium and vitamins A, C and K.

Tomatoes: An Extensive Review of the Associated Health Impacts of Tomatoes and Factors That Can Affect Their Cultivation

The research outlined in this review paper discusses potential health benefits associated with a diet enriched with tomatoes and tomato products. This includes details of previous studies investigating the anticancer properties of tomatoes, protection against cardiovascular and neurodegenerative diseases and diabetes, maintenance of a healthy gut microbiome, and improved skin health, fertility, immune response, and exercise recovery. The specific parts of a tomato fruit that contribute these health benefits are also outlined.

What Happens to Your Body When You Eat Tomatoes Regularly

Tomatoes: Sweet, juicy—and nutritious. From cherry and grape to Roma and Campari, these beauties are rich in vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that may play a role in helping to reduce your risk of certain diseases, as well as supporting digestive and skin health.

Why the Tomato Was Feared in Europe for More Than 200 Years

How the fruit got a bad rap from the beginning.