A review of multiple studies confirms: foods such as tomatoes and their active ingredients such as lycopene act synergistically in cardiovascular prevention.
Tomatoes How tasty! Not only tasty and versatile in the kitchen, but also healthy and with a thousand properties.
Rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, tomatoes are not only considered capable of keep cholesterol levels at bay, to favor the good functioning of the intestine and to have benefits for eyesight, But also prevent cardiovascular disease.
To confirm this exceptional function is the review of 21 studies conducted by researchers at Northumbria University and published in the journal Atherosclerosis and which identified an association between the consumption of tomatoes or tomato derivatives and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease.
READ also: TOMATOES: CALORIES AND 10 EXTRAORDINARY BENEFICIAL PROPERTIES
Index
Tomato, a concentrate of benefits
While, in essence, current evidence indicates that the consumption of tomato improves some lipids in the blood, blood pressure and endothelial function, now with these analyzes it is confirmed that tomato consumption can also potentially reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality.
The secret is all in the lycopene, for an antioxidant among other things responsible for the red color of tomatoes and which cannot be synthesized in our body, so it depends on the diet.
READ also: TOMATOES: 10 WAYS TO USE IT AS A BEAUTY REMEDY
What a tomato can do to our body
Specifically, the study verified the benefits of consuming tomato based products associated with lycopene supplements in the prevention of diseases affecting the heart and circulation. The researchers thus observed that tomato-based products were able to decrease cholesterol values and improve some cardiovascular risk values, while lycopene supplements act on pressure.
The protective effects of lycopene, therefore, and of tomato derivatives would be complementary: foods such as tomatoes and their active ingredients such as lycopene act synergistically in cardiovascular prevention.
READ also: 5 WAYS TO STORE TOMATOES AND ENJOY THEM ALL YEAR ROUND
How to choose tomatoes
Seasonality e freshness are the key elements. Remember that you can only find tomatoes from June to September / October. Outside of this period, you could only buy greenhouse products that have not received the beneficial effects of the sun - and at a higher price.
Also, like all fruit and vegetables, tomatoes are quality and fresh only if they are sodium: the surface must not be dented or cracked, there must be no dark spots or rotten parts and, finally, they must not be too green, otherwise it means that they are not ripe at the right point.
Germana Carillo
