My daughter began eating tomatoes at the age of 1. She was a huge fan of the fruit and could eat a few of them in one sitting. I wasn’t sure if this was a healthy habit and hence I consulted with her pediatrician to make sure she wasn’t eating an improper diet. It was at this time that I was made to understand that eating tomatoes is very healthy and one must indulge in this fruit a few times a week. Tomatoes are a rich source of Lycopene, iron, potassium and vitamin A & C.

The presence of beta-carotene in tomatoes is associated with the prevention of several forms of cancer and heart diseases. It is also considered one of the main factors that prevent asthma.

Lycopene in tomatoes is associated with the prevention of breast cancer, pancreatic cancer and lung diseases. Tomatoes are also a rich source of fiber and eating it daily helps to regulate bowel movements, control cholesterol levels and also prevents colon cancer. It also helps to control blood sugar levels naturally and hence it is recommended that diabetics eat at least one tomato daily.

Tomatoes contain antioxidants; these help to get rid of the free radicals in the body and also repair any damage done to the cells.

In order to reap these benefits one must eat a healthy amount of tomatoes regularly. It is best to eat them in the raw state in the form of salads or in a sandwich but avoid eating them in the form of sauces. You can also consume tomatoes in the form of a soup. Tomatoes are best consumed when they are fresh and firm; hence you must avoid buying huge amounts that you will need to store for a long time. You can also buy them in the form of a puree or buy frozen tomatoes if you are unable to get fresh ones. Do not over cook tomatoes as they will loose their nutrients. Use olive oil to cook tomatoes in order to enhance the flavor and prevent loosing the natural nutrients.