A herbaceous, sprawling plant by nature, tomato is scientifically addressed as Solanum lycopersicum and belongs to the division Angiosperms of the family Solanales. The savory flavor of this red colored fruit makes it the most widely cultivated and edible Eudicot worldwide.

Nutrition :

Tomatoes are nutritional factories for lycopene which happens to be one of the most powerful antioxidants known. They are also a store house of carotene, anthocyanin, Vitamin C and Vitamin A.

Health Benefits :

Tomato has been found in human research to be protective of colorectal, prostate, breast, endometrial, lung, and pancreatic cancers. Tomato greatly helps reduce LDL cholesterol and triglycerides by preventing serum lipid oxidation in the body. Potassium present in these fruits play a key role in maintaining the blood health in the human body. Vitamin K aids in blood clotting to a great extent. Coumaric and chlorogenic acid present in these species help combat nitrosamines secreted in the body as a result of cigarette smoking. Tomato consumption also helps in improving vision , night-blindness and muscular degeneration.

Preparation :

Tomato finds its most common use in raw form, as a cooked item in vegetables, sauces or as tomato powder employed for use over a long period of time.

References :

Arthur Allen (August 2008). A Passion for Tomatoes. Retrieved December 11, 2009 .

Hartz, T. et al. Processing Tomato Production in California. UC Vegetable Research and Information Center.

FAOSTAT, Crop statistics

"Health benefits of tomatoes" . Retrieved 2007-05-24 .

"No magic tomato? Study breaks link between lycopene and prostate cancer prevention" . Retrieved 2007-05-24 .

"Tomato dishes 'may protect skin'" . 2008-04-28 . Retrieved 2010-01