What Are The Benefits Of Tomatoes And Their Contraindications?

The tomato is considered the most important vegetable worldwide due to its multiple uses and widespread consumption. Originally from Andean America, the tomato belongs to the Solanaceae family. 

It is worth mentioning that in some countries, it is known as “tomato.” According to nutritionist Cristina Rodriguez, the tomato is in the group of red fruits and vegetables that have a high lycopene content. 

Regarding its origin, Mexico was one of the first countries where tomato cultivation began.

It was later taken to Spain and Portugal, which allowed its consumption to spread worldwide, according to research carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAGA) in conjunction with the European Union.

Benefits of tomatoes and their preparation methods

In addition to containing lycopene, there are other nutritional benefits related to tomato consumption.

According to Mayda Arroyo, a nutritionist, these are some of the advantages:

• Tomatoes have a high content of vitamin C, so their main benefit is strengthening the immune system.

• It provides antioxidants to the body thanks to its high lycopene content. According to various studies, antioxidants serve to stop oxidation reactions in cells from which free radicals originate. 

• Eating tomatoes helps the skin look much more radiant due to the pigments it contains. 

• In general, there are very few allergies associated with tomato consumption, so it is a vegetable that can easily be used regularly in the daily diet.

Arroyo recommends eating at least one cup of raw tomatoes, which gives us one serving. Regarding their preparation, she suggests that one of the best ways to prepare them is by poaching them, which means that after cooking them, the skin should be removed.

If you prefer, you can also remove the seeds, especially if you are preparing food for children and want to make it easier to eat. 

Contraindications of tomatoes

Regarding possible contraindications, Arroyo points out that, like any other food, excessive consumption of tomatoes could be harmful to the body. In the case of tomato consumption, there are few contraindications. However, if you suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, your doctor may establish some restrictions regarding its consumption. 

In addition, in postoperative patients, tomato peel may not be absorbed properly, so she mentions the importance of consuming poached tomatoes to avoid any subsequent discomfort. 

On the other hand, there are inconclusive studies that indicate that excessive consumption could increase uric acid. However, in general terms, experts indicate that tomatoes are a beneficial food for the body since they have few calories per serving, as well as multiple nutrients that are extremely beneficial for the body.