Did You Know: Tomatoes

It's tomato season and we're stocking multiple varieties of mixed grape, plums and classic rounds. Whether your making sandwiches, simmering sauce or just snacking, tomatoes are really good for you. Find out why our summertime favorite is so healthy!

Colorful Nova and Five-Star mix are sweet, perfect for roasting, salads and snacking

The tomato is one of the healthiest salad foods because it contains lycopene, which offers protection from some cancers and compounds to help prevent blood clots.

Tomatoes are a major source of dietary lycopene, a carotene antioxidant that fights heart disease and may help prevent cancer. Tomatoes also have a anticoagulant effect because of the salicylates contained in them. They also contain several other antioxidants including vitamin C, quercetin, lutein. Tomatoes are low in calories but high potassium and contain useful amounts of fiber.

The Good Stuff:

• excellent source of lycopene which helps prevent some cancers, improves cholesterol and protection of skin from UV rays
• one medium tomato contains nearly a quarter of the recommended intake of vitamin C for an adult
• rich in potassium to help regulate bodily fluids
• quercetin and lutein content helps prevent cataracts in keep heart and eyes healthy
• contain salicylates, which have an anticoagulant effect
•  tomatoes also contain vitamin A and vitamin K

Facts:

• peak season May to August
• tomatoes are composed of about 95% water
• lycopene is actually more active in processed tomato products such as ketchup, tomato paste and tomato juice than it is in a raw tomato
• diabetics... Rosso Bruno Tomatoes a brown hybrid of wild varieties have double the amount of fiber to help keep blood sugar stable

Tips:

• the more colorful the tomato the higher the content of lycopene
• vine ripened tomatoes also contain more lycopene than those ripened right after picking
• the tomato peel is richer in nutrients than the flesh
• the lycopeneIn in raw or cooked tomatoes is better absorbed in your body if it is eaten oil such as salad dressing

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Reference: 100 Best health Foods, Eat This Not That, Cooking Light What to Eat
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