Health Benefits of Tomatoes and Weight Loss: Calories of Tomatoes
These are questions frequently asked by people like you.
The health benefits of tomatoes have been a main focus for nutritional researchers for the last decade. Learn why tomatoes help you lose weight, what are the calories of tomatoes, why they made the negative calorie food list, and why you should avoid eating them with starches - all on this page!
The health benefits of tomatoes go far beyond their weight loss value. Strictly from a weight loss point of view, they:
Boost your energy
Stabilize your blood sugar levels
Control your appetite
Detoxify your body
Reduce your cholesterol
Let’s take these one by one.
The reason they boost your energy is due to their high content of biotin, an essential water-soluble B-vitamin. Biotin is one of the most important energy vitamins.
Without biotin, your body’s enzymes don’t work well and apart from low energy you may experience the symptoms of low blood sugars between meals or acidic blood (acidosis).
Along with biotin, tomatoes’ high content of chromium and fiber stabilize your blood sugar levels curbing your appetite.
It’s no secret that their high content of powerful antioxidants like vitamins A and C makes them extremely valuable in protecting your body against the free radical damage.
However, when you buy tomatoes, remember that a hothouse-grown tomato contains only half the vitamin C of a vine-ripened tomato!
But one of the most important among the health benefits of tomatoes is due to a high content of niacin and lycopene, which are proven to not only lower the cholesterol levels, but reduce the risk of heart disease as well.
But what is lycopene?
Well, nothing has been hotter in the area of phytonutrient research in the last five years than the studies on lycopene in tomatoes.
Research shows it is the synergy of lycopene and beta-carotene along with the other phytochemicals that effectively protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, cardiovascular disease, diabetic complications, asthma, and a growing list of cancers.
And you should know one more thing.
Lycopene is more easily absorbed from preserved tomatoes rather than from the raw tomatoes.
More Health Benefits of Tomatoes:
They are vital for maintaining the health of your bones. The high content of vitamin K activates osteocalcin (the major non-collagen protein in bones), which anchors calcium molecules inside of your bone tissue.
Furthermore, the high content of riboflavin in tomatoes help reduce the frequency of migraine attacks, and they are extremely valuable for your heart's health - due to a priceless trio of nutrients: potassium, vitamin B6, and folate.
Are you concerned about calories? Then, you should know that to a great extent, the calories in tomatoes depend on the type of tomatoes and the season. On average, it’s approx. 25-35 calories for a cup of cherry tomatoes or for a red, medium, ripe tomato (approx. 150 g).
Their low caloric content is exceeded by the number of calories it takes to digest them. That’s why they are part of the negative calorie food list, being considered weight loss food.
Believe it or not, the health benefits of tomatoes and their low caloric value help you lose weight big time! Loaded with many vital nutrients, they are particularly valuable in a heart-healthy and cancer-preventing diet, regardless of how you eat them: fresh, cooked, juiced or ketchup.
Always eat tomatoes with avocado, olive oil or nuts, as lycopene is lipo-soluble. This means it is absorbed into the body only along with fats. Avoid mixing tomatoes with starches (bread, potatoes, or rice) as these combinations create acidity in the stomach and heart burn.
How many tomatoes should you eat on a regular basis to fully take advantage of their weight loss and health benefits? The equivalent of 1 cup of fresh tomatoes at least 4-5 times per week, like in a healthy Mediterranean diet.
For best taste and to enjoy the health benefits of tomatoes to the fullest, eat them in vegetable salads, like Tomatoes with Basil Salad and other recipes for fresh tomatoes.