Interesting facts about the properties of tomato

The tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is a fruit from the nightshade family native to South America.
Despite botanically being a fruit, it’s generally eaten and prepared like a vegetable.
Tomatoes are the major dietary source of the antioxidant lycopene, which has been linked to many health benefits, including reduced risk of heart disease and cancer.
Usually red when mature, tomatoes can also come in a variety of colors, including yellow, orange, green, and purple. What’s more, many subspecies of tomatoes exist with different shapes and flavor.

Nutrition facts

The water content of tomatoes is around 95%. The other 5% consists mainly of carbohydrates and fiber.
Here are the nutrients in a small (100-gram) raw tomato:
• Calories: 18
• Water: 95%
• Protein: 0.9 grams
• Carbs: 3.9 grams
• Sugar: 2.6 grams
• Fiber: 1.2 grams
• Fat: 0.2 grams

Carbs

Carbs comprise 4% of raw tomatoes, which amounts to fewer than 5 grams of carbs for a medium specimen (123 grams).
Simple sugars, such as glucose and fructose, make up almost 70% of the carb content.

Fber

Tomatioes are a good source of fiber, providing about 1.5 grams per average-sized tomato.
Most of the fibers (87%) in tomatoes are insoluble, in the form of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin.

Vitamins and minerals

Tomatoes are a good source of several vitamins and minerals:
• Vitamin C. This vitamin is an essential nutrient and antioxidant. One medium-sized tomato can provide about 28% of the Reference Daily Intake (RDI).
• Potassium. An essential mineral, potassium is beneficial for blood pressure control and heart disease prevention .
• Vitamin K1. Also known as phylloquinone, vitamin K is important for blood clotting and bone health.
• Folate (vitamin B9). One of the B vitamins, folate is important for normal tissue growth and cell function. It’s particularly important for pregnant women.

Health benefits of tomatoes

Consumption of tomatoes and tomato-based products has been linked to improved skin health and a lower risk of heart disease and cancer.

Heart health

Heart disease — including heart attacks and strokes — is the world's most common cause of death.
A study in middle-aged men linked low blood levels of lycopene and beta-carotene to increased risk of heart attacks and strokes .
Increasing evidence from clinical trials suggests that supplementing with lycopene may help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol .
Clinical studies of tomato products indicate benefits against inflammation and markers of oxidative stress.
They are also a great source of vitamin C, potassium, folate, and vitamin K.