Tomatoes, which are actually a fruit and not a vegetable, are loaded with all kinds of health benefits for the body. They are in fact, a highly versatile health product and due to their equally versatile preparation options, there’s really no reason to neglect the tomato as part of a healthy diet.

One of the most well known tomato eating benefit is its' Lycopene content. Lycopene is a vital anti-oxidant that helps in the fight against cancerous cell formation as well as other kinds of health complications and diseases.

Studies involving the tomato have cropped up all over the world of medical science. There are more health benefits derived from eating a tomato than the scientific community is able to print, at least yet.

http://givnology.com/eve/forum...=981104601#981104601

Thank you Sue.

Tomatoes are a very healthy fruit, with the power to ward off some of the worst known diseases. With the vast variety of tomato products on the market, it really shouldn't be difficult to get the full health benefit of tomatoes.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Sue.

Tomatoes are rich in several nutrients including potassium, vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium and iron, in addition to lycopene. It is also possible that complex interactions among multiple components present in tomatoes contribute to its anticancer properties.

Love,
yoko

Thank you for the post Sue.
This is valuable information.



Lycopene is one of nature's most powerful antioxidants. With the exception of pink (and only pink) grapefruit and watermelon and a few other foods that include only a tiny bit of it, the tomato includes lots of it.


Lycopene is the most common carotenoid in the human body and is one of the most potent carotenoid antioxidants.



The biochemical behavior of lycopene seems a bit different from the behaviour of other antioxidants. It can help against and also prevent cancer and heart disease.

Lycopene is a bright red carotenoid pigment, a phytochemical found red fruits and of course tomatoes.


http://www.antioxidants-guide....nefit_of_tomato.html

It is part of the family of pigments called carotenoids, which are natural compounds that create the colours of fruits and vegetables. For example, beta carotene is the orange pigment in carrots.

Tomatoes (a close relative of the potato believe it or not) are now eaten freely throughout the world, in fact it is now the world's most popular fruit, although their seeds cannot be digested and pass straight through our intestines.

Thank you all my dear friends for this wise reminder regarding my beloved tomatoes.

Italy of course produces enormous quantities of tomatoes. They are certainly the main ingredient in the sauces that accompany the pasta dishes.

I remember when I really fell in love with tomatoes. I was a little girl in Switzerland and in our garden there were quite a few plants of tomatoes. When the sun flooded the plants and the fruits (I did not remember they were considered a fruit!), the fragrance expanded wonderfully. I would go and caress a tomato, sniff it inhaling deeply and then I would break it off the stem and eat it right there, without even washing it, as my father did not use chemicals. Never again tomatoes felt as juicy and fragrant as then, not even in sunny Italy. Right from the plant it's a totally different pleasure!

Thank you again,
love and joy with healthy food!
Margherita

They are incredibly beautiful to look at too ...

Thank you for the post.
I try and eat tomatoes as often as possible, but you are right Margherita, nothing tastes as good as the tomato right off the plant. I was able to have this when I lived in France.

Sincerely,
Gisele

Thank you Sue.

Tomatoes are really good for you. I try to have them as often as possible.

Here is some more information

Studies presented at the symposium, sponsored by the American Health Foundation , indicate a variety of new potential benefits from consumption of tomato-based foods including possible protection against age-related macular degeneration, cataracts and other diseases of the eye.

Love,
Vicky

Thank you Gisele, Inda, yoko, Margherita and Vicky for the added information.

I agree with Margherita, tomatoes are best when picked fresh off the plant and eaten right there. I did that also when I lived in England.

Love,
Sue