The homeland of tomatoes is South America; among the Aztecs and Incas, tomatoes were considered a miraculous fruit. This vegetable, if used correctly, can serve as a whole home pharmacy, as it contains a large amount of vitamins and nutrients, and is also a dietary product.
Useful substances and vitamins contained in tomatoes:
- vitamin C; - vitamin A; - B vitamins; - vitamin E; - vitamin K; - vitamin PP; - lycopene; - carotene; - carotenoids; - phytoncides; - cellulose; - pectin; - sugar; - organic acids; - starch; - proteins; - calcium; - sodium; - magnesium; - iron; - silicon; - iodine; - sulfur; - phosphorus.
Tomatoes in the garden and on the table
The name "tomato" comes from the Italian pomod'oro, which means "golden apple". The shape of a tomato can be different, but one of them really resembles an apple, there is even an "apple" variety of tomatoes. There are 9 varieties of tomatoes in the world, they also differ in the shape of the bush, ripening time, table varieties and types that are convenient for canning.
Tomatoes came to Russia in the 18th century and were first cultivated as decorative fruits. When it became clear what a tasty and healthy vegetable it was, they began to grow it everywhere - in open ground gardens, in greenhouses and even at home - on balconies and window sills. Especially tasty varieties of tomatoes with juicy pulp are grown in the southern regions of Russia - Volgograd and Astrakhan.
Tomatoes, depending on the variety, come in different colors - from white to brown and black. The most useful is considered to be a bright red tomato, although a yellow or pink tomato may be superior in taste. The red color of the vegetable is given by a very useful substance - lycopene, which is quite abundant in tomatoes. It is an antioxidant that prevents cancer and boosts immunity. The shape of the tomato also depends on the variety; Finger tomatoes, bull heart variety, cherry tomatoes on a branch are especially distinguished.
Tomato is an extraordinary vegetable, the amount of lycopene and other nutrients does not decrease when heated, but increases. There are more of them, for example, in tomato paste. In order to consume tomatoes with health benefits, they must be combined with the right foods. Tomatoes are not recommended to be eaten with protein foods - meat, eggs, as well as bread and foods containing starch. At the same time, the salad of fresh tomatoes should be seasoned with oil - olive, sunflower, corn. Tomato juice is very useful, but you should not drink it on an empty stomach, but half an hour after eating.
The healing properties of tomatoes and their use
Eating tomatoes reduces the risk of oncological and cardiovascular diseases, helps with anemia, gastritis with low acidity, and memory impairment. This is facilitated by the presence of a large percentage of vitamin C, vitamins of group B, A, K, E, as well as many mineral and other useful substances.
Tomatoes regulate the work of the gastrointestinal tract and are useful for diabetics. Tomatoes help to lose weight, tomato days are arranged when they are on a diet. In order to lose weight, it is useful to add celery juice to tomato juice. Tomato has diuretic and choleretic properties.
Harm of tomatoes
These waxes are undesirable for people suffering from allergies, as well as arthritis, gout, since calcium salts and oxalic acid, which is abundant in tomatoes, can contribute to the deposition of salts. It is dangerous to eat tomatoes for people with a diseased gallbladder and pancreas, because the choleretic effect of tomatoes flushes stones from the gallbladder and some of the stones can get stuck in the bile duct.
Elderly people are not recommended to eat canned, pickled and salted tomatoes, there is a risk of exacerbation of peptic ulcer and heart disease.
