The beneficial properties and excellent dietary qualities of tomatoes can hardly be overestimated, they rightfully occupy one of the main places both on the festive and on the everyday table. These vegetables are the main ingredient in hundreds of dishes in many cuisines around the world. Tomato organically combines excellent appearance, excellent taste and numerous useful properties.
The chemical composition of tomatoes
Tomato is the most valuable product in biochemical terms. It contains proteins, amino acids, enzymes, mono- and oligosaccharides (sucrose, raffinose, fructose), as well as polysaccharides - pectin and fiber. The vegetable contains vitamins A, C, E, H, K, PP and almost all B vitamins (there is only B12 - cyanocobalamin). Among the many varieties of tomatoes, there are those in which the vitamin C content is almost the same as in lemons, but they are not sour, but sugary.
The carotenoid (provitamin A) in tomatoes is a powerful natural antioxidant, so these vegetables are useful for those who do not want to age, as well as for the prevention of cancer. Oxalic acid, which is rich in tomato, removes toxins from the body, especially effectively cleanses the blood and liver.
Tomatoes are saturated with macro- and microelements - potassium, fluorine, copper, zinc, iodine, magnesium, calcium, etc. Cobalt is especially abundant in tomatoes (up to 60%) - an element that is involved in almost all processes in the body: metabolism, in cell renewal, in the work of the immune and circulatory systems. So, in the blood, cobalt stimulates the synthesis of hemoglobin and increases the degree of absorption of iron.
Tomato is a natural antibiotic
Quercetin is present in the skin of tomatoes. This substance works as a natural antibiotic that successfully fights inflammation in the body. Fresh tomato juice has antiseptic and bactericidal properties, so it is useful to eat it during colds and infectious diseases. Tomato slices or cotton pads dipped in freshly squeezed juice can be applied to hematomas, bruises and wounds, they will help the quickest healing of damaged areas of the body.
The benefits of tomatoes for cores and more
Many useful, and sometimes just miraculous properties of the tomato are due to the contained in it lycopene (lycopene) - a carotenoid pigment synthesized by some plants. This substance, in combination with potassium and magnesium, which are also rich in tomatoes, is an excellent remedy for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, as a powerful antioxidant, lycopene can prevent cancer and even stop the growth of cancer cells already present in the body. The same substance prevents the development of macular degeneration, which often causes blindness in people over 55 years old.
If you decide to use tomatoes as a preventive or therapeutic agent, keep in mind that the maximum amount of lycopene is not found in fresh fruits, but in boiled, stewed or baked, i.e. in heat treated. With prolonged cooking, the level of lycopene concentration in tomatoes only increases. Lycopene is better absorbed by the body if tomatoes are seasoned with sunflower oil.
Tomatoes in cosmetology
Fresh tomatoes are successfully used in cosmetology. Red vegetable masks are useful for people with oily skin prone to acne and irritation. You can knead the tomato with a fork and add oatmeal or starch to the gruel, apply the resulting mass to the cleansed face and hold for 8-10 minutes, then rinse with cool water. Or you can simply cut a tomato into circles and apply them to problem areas (accumulation of acne or areas with the greatest activity of the sebaceous glands).
For dry skin, you can make masks from a mixture of freshly squeezed tomato juice, fatty cottage cheese and any vegetable oil. Apply the composition to a clean face and hold for 5-10 minutes, then rinse with warm water and lubricate with a moisturizer.
Tomatoes are able to smooth out fine wrinkles and even out the complexion. For this it is necessary to use a red vegetable both internally and externally, i.e. and eat and carry out cosmetic procedures - wipe the face with juice from fresh tomatoes, make masks, taking into account the type of skin.
