Tomato Contributes to a Long Healthy Life

image by Jessica G Ferrer

​Juicy into just one bite, tomatoes are evidently rich in color, but many forget the benefits of tomato. They are an excellent antioxidant and while needless to say, I’ll say it anyway, they are versatile. Enjoyed fresh in salads or a richly made dressing, in sauces, and even juices, this fruit falls in the trendy language, superfood, and with reason. 

If there’s one thing we learned as a people is that the immune system is crucial in combating diseases and getting through colds quicker and easier. I’m sure many of us knew this before the pandemic, but during the Covid-19 and what feels like the Covid-35 era, we have learned this to be especially true. 

An antioxidant known as lycopene, also found in watermelon, guava, pink grapefruit, and papaya is responsible for fighting free radicals that can damage your skin and even affect your immune system. For this reason, foods rich in lycopene, like tomatoes, are known to help against diseases in the cervix, mouth, colon, pancreas, heart, and even breast. I should also mention this antioxidant also helps lower blood pressure and bad cholesterol. Dare I label lycopene a super antioxidant? I think so. 

But the benefits of tomatoes don’t stop there. Did you know they are also a great source of potassium and vitamins C, K, and B? I know, it just keeps getting better. It’ll blow you away in a few more sentences, so keep reading. 

image by Jessica G Ferrer

This fruit is high in water content, low in calories, high in fiber, and boosts metabolism. Talk about an overachiever. Quick tip, antioxidants help reduce water retention, which if you didn't know helps weight loss. Remember when I said, it’ll blow you away in a few more sentences? Well, make sure you’re holding on to something because those sentences have been read and the moment has now arrived … Tomatoes are good for weight loss. They help you lose weight. Are you there? I told you to hold on to something. I’ll wait …

I can go on and on about tomatoes, which many still argue are a vegetable. However, most research confirms it’s a fruit. And you thought you didn't like fruits in your salad. Whatever the truth behind this fruit-able (a hybrid between fruit and vegetable. Sometimes cleverness fails to be read correctly. Oh dear, I’ll wrap this up -lol.), it’s clear that tomatoes are in fact essential in our diets, as long as you're not allergic, of course. They’re economical, good for you, and if you have the room, they are actually easy to grow and keep alive. 

In conclusion, tomatoes are good for you. They are rich in antioxidants and vitamins and contribute to a long healthy life. ​

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​by Jessica G Ferrer
@jessicagferrer