Tomatoes: Fruit or Vegetable?

Tomatoes: Fruit or Vegetable?

The answer should be "Who cares!"

Scientifically they are both, but the versatile tomato's benefits are wonderful.

Benefits include:

*Abundant source of antioxidants. A great source of lycopene which defends against cancer.

*Rich source of vitamins and minerals. One tomato provides 40% RDA of vitamin C

*Reduces cholesterol levels and protects the heart.

*Improves vision. Vitamin A formed from the high amount of beta-caratene.

*Digestive health. Effectively removes toxins from the body with the help of high fiber content.

*Lowers hypertension. Daily consumption with its high potassium amounts reduces tension in our blood vessels, lessening the risk of strokes.

* Low calorie food. Which helps in weight loss, only 22 calories in one tomato.

Most vegetables lose some nutrient value when heated, but tomatoes actually improve this value, especially lycopene, when cooked.  Also tomato juice has twice the amount of antioxidants then raw tomatoes.  The versatile tomato can be used in so many ways, raw, cooked, stewed, juice, soups, salads, stuffed and on and on.

Grow your own or buy organic, just make sure to eat tomatoes everyday.

Store them on the counter not in the refrigerator, it halts the ripening process and diminishes the flvor and texture.

Tomato fun fact: 

In the Middle Ages, wealthy people often ate from pewter plates, but foods with a high acid content, like tomatoes, caused some of the lead to leach onto the food, causing lead poisoning and death. For the next 400 years or so, tomatoes were considered toxic.

Some of my fondest memories of my grandmother are of her and I sitting in the garden and eating beefsteak tomatoes right off the vine.  Good times.

Have a great week.

Be kind.

Judd