Biting into a ripe, juicy tomato is one of the true treats of summer. It’s also one of the best things you can do for your body. The rich red color comes from lycopene, a powerful antioxidant plentiful in just a few foods. Plus, a large tomato offers decent amounts of vitamin C and potassium, which lowers blood pressure, as well as ferulic acid, an antioxidant. Tomatoes also have flavonoids, plant chemicals that curb inflammation and cell damage and help increase blood flow. Even the seeds have health benefits, containing fiber and compounds called saponins, which are anti-inflammatory.
Locally grown tomatoes may be your best bet for health and taste. “In an attempt to create firm, round, pest-resistant fruit, big agriculture accidentally bred out the flavor gene,” says Amanda Bontempo, RD, an oncology dietitian at NYU Langone Health. Plus, grocery store varieties are generally picked early so that they’re not overripe by the time they reach the store. “Sun-ripened tomatoes typically have more flavor and more lycopene,” says Alisa Scherban, RD, a dietitian with Yale Health in New Haven, Conn.
Tomato rice helps to take care of the eyes health by improving the retinal cells. This is because the dish is loaded with vitamin A. Tomato rice in cooker preparation process helps to overcome blood clots, thereby making it useful for people with clotting problems.
The Benefits of Lycopene
Like all antioxidants, lycopene squelches free radicals, which play a role in cancer, heart disease, and other diseases associated with aging, Bontempo says. A 2020 study published in the journal Cancer Causes & Control found that men who ate tomatoes almost every day had a 28 percent lower risk of prostate cancer than men who didn’t. Lycopene may also protect the skin from the sun damage that can cause skin cancer, and some research suggests that it helps women maintain bone mass as they age.
You get more lycopene from tomatoes and absorb more of it when they’re cooked. For instance, a large fresh tomato has about 5 mg of lycopene, compared with about 17 mg in ½ cup of tomato sauce. “Lycopene is trapped in the cell wall of the vegetable,” Scherban says. Cooking breaks down the walls and releases the lycopene. There’s no recommended intake for lycopene, but some evidence suggests as little as 7 mg per day is beneficial.
To enhance absorption from fresh tomatoes, purée or crush them, which also breaks down cell walls (think salsa, gazpacho, or fresh sauce). Another tip: Break out the olive oil, avocado, or cheese. Carotenoids like lycopene are fat-soluble, so they’re better absorbed when you eat them with some fat.
Other colors have benefits, too. For example, orange tomatoes pack beta carotene, which converts to vitamin A in your body, and yellow tomatoes have lutein, which helps prevent the age-related eye disease macular degeneration.
People with arthritis, especially rheumatoid arthritis, often think they should avoid tomatoes and other nightshade vegetables (eggplant, potatoes, and peppers, for example) because they can cause inflammation that leads to joint pain. The notion may stem from the fact that this plant family contains a compound called solanine, which in large amounts can be toxic. But the amount found in nightshade vegetables is extremely low. There’s no research that shows that nightshades cause inflammation. In fact, it’s just the opposite. “The phytochemicals in tomatoes have a powerful anti-inflammatory effect,” Bontempo says.
How To Make Classic Tomatoes And Rice
FAQ
How many calories are in rice and tomatoes?
What is the healthiest way to eat tomatoes?
Are tomatoes good or bad for you?
What to eat with tomato rice?
Spoon the rice into a serving bowl and top with parsley if desired. Tomato rice is a fabulous side dish for so many recipes! Try it with oven baked chicken thighs, chicken birria tacos, red wine braised brisket, or baked cod.
Is only eating rice good for you?
Not at all. Rice is a carbohydrate and does not supply the daily needs of lipids and even less of proteins. In addition, it lacks many vitamins and minerals, which are found abundantly in fruits and salads.
Are tomatoes good for You?
With powerful antioxidants, tomatoes boost your heart health and may lower your cancer risk It seems like there’s no end to what you can do with tomatoes. They’re everywhere in and on our food, from the sauce on your spaghetti and the salsa loaded on your chips to the ketchup dripping from your fries. And of course, a necessary part of any salad.
Can you make tomato rice with plain rice?
This easy tomato rice recipe puts a spin on plain rice by adding zesty seasoning and bright tomato flavor. Dresses Up Plain Rice – Instead of using plain white rice or brown rice as a side dish for your proteins and veggies, make tomato rice to brighten up the colors and flavors on your plate.