Raw tomatoes can be a contentious food item when used raw. While
some people adore their natural sweetness and use them on everything
from sandwiches, suya to casseroles to pizzas, others dislike their relatively
slimy texture and acidic nature. Whether you love or hate them,
however, raw tomatoes provide essential vitamins, minerals and nutrients
that can deliver a number of profound health benefits.
Raw tomatoes naturally contain an assortment of
antioxidants, vitamins and minerals that have the potential to guard
against serious diseases. Eating more tomatoes and vegetables in general
can help prevent conditions including bone loss, cancer, diabetes,
kidney stones, stroke, heart attack and obesity. In an article for the
“American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine,” Dr. Britt Burton-Freeman
observes that raw tomatoes have anti-inflammatory properties and that
they might even help prevent cognitive dysfunction. Tomatoes might have
particular benefits for men. The American Dietetic Association
encourages men to eat tomatoes at least once a week because the lycopene
present in them promotes prostate health.
The tomato’s positive health properties are a
result of the antioxidants and beneficial compounds found in the food. it is noted that the main antioxidant in tomatoes is lycopene, which
neutralizes harmful free radicals that can damage cells in the body.
Tomatoes also contain beta-carotene, folic acid, and vitamins A, C and
E. Additionally, tomatoes have exceptionally low energy density, which
means a large serving size delivers only a small amount of calories and
fat. According to the USDA, a cup of sliced tomatoes has just 30
calories and less than 0.5 g fat.