What are the benefits of cherry tomatoes for the body?

There are a large number of varieties of tomatoes. They are distinguished by the speed of ripening, thermophilicity, size, shape, color of the fruit, size of the bush and purpose. We will look at the smallest and most delicious variety - cherry tomato. Let's find out what the benefits and harms of cherry tomatoes are for the body, how to choose a quality vegetable, how to store it correctly and where it can be used.

What are cherry tomatoes

Cherry tomato (from the English cherry - “cherry”) is a variety of herbaceous annual tomato of the nightshade family. Tomatoes are small in size, but superior in taste to their larger counterparts.

Cherries are native to Peru; they were brought to Europe in the 70s of the 20th century. They were first noticed by Israeli scientists who modified the variety: improved nutritional characteristics and resistance to hot climates, and increased the storage period.

The size, shape and color of the vegetable are different. The size ranges from a large cherry to a medium-sized apple, the color is varied: red, black, orange, green. The shape is spherical, oblong, teardrop-shaped. The main distinctive features are a sweet aromatic taste, dense pulp, elastic skin.

Composition and calorie content

The weight of an average cherry tomato is 25 g. About 20 fruits are formed on one brush, the bush itself reaches a height of up to 1 m. Cherry is a record holder for the content of vitamins, macro- and microelements. In addition, it contains a large amount of lycopene.

Basic vitamins – B4, B9, C, A, K; macroelements – potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, chlorine; microelements – copper, cobalt, manganese. All of the listed beneficial substances, compared to the usual varieties of tomatoes, are contained in cherry tomatoes in double quantities.

KBZHU vegetable: calorie content is 15 kcal, proteins - 0.8 g, fats - 0.1 g, carbohydrates - 2.8 g.

Benefits and harms

Let's look at the benefits of cherry tomatoes for the body:

• prevent the development of cancer;
• accelerate the healing of soft tissues;
• reduce the risk of developing heart and vascular diseases;
• contribute to the normal development of the musculoskeletal system of the fetus in the womb;
• reduce the manifestations of chronic fatigue syndrome;
• speed up metabolism.

Tomatoes have a beneficial effect on the condition of internal organs and systems. Cherry tomatoes are good for weight loss. Due to their low calorie content, they remove waste, toxins, and activate the functioning of the digestive tract.

Eating tomatoes reduces the harmful effects of nicotine on the body, improves brain function and increases performance. Thanks to the potassium in their composition, they promote the outflow of excess fluid from the body, reduce the severity or prevent the appearance of edema. The tomato is considered a source of youth and beauty. It is widely used in cosmetology to prepare masks that rejuvenate, cleanse, and regenerate the skin. Magnesium in the composition is very useful when winter sets in - it helps the body adapt to the cold.

Lycopene, a non-cyclic isomer of beta-carotene, gives tomatoes their red pigment and acts as an antioxidant in the body. In addition, it slows down oxidation processes in the body, blocks the action of free radicals, prolonging youth. Lycopene is insoluble in water, but highly soluble in fat. To enrich your body with this element, eat tomatoes with fatty foods.

Despite all the positive characteristics, the product also has contraindications. It should be included with caution in the diet for ulcers, since the acids in the composition irritate the gastric mucosa. It is worth limiting the consumption of tomatoes to patients with serious metabolic disorders. Due to its bright color, it should not be consumed by allergy sufferers to avoid skin rashes. It is recommended to exclude the vegetable in case of kidney disease and cholelithiasis, as it has a strong choleretic effect.

Important! During the period of bearing a child, it is necessary to control the amount of tomatoes in the diet. An excess is dangerous for colic and diarrhea in the expectant mother, which is undesirable during pregnancy.

How to choose

The choice of tomatoes has its own specific characteristics. The presence of a strong odor in tomatoes determines their ripeness. Absence or weak expression indicates that the harvest was harvested too early, when the fruit has not yet reached the maturity stage. The use of such a product is unsafe as it contains toxins.

Select fruits on the branch: it should be green with dense, bright red tomatoes without damage to the skin or traces of pests. The absence of a branch is a sign of improper or long storage.

Cherry tomatoes should be stored in a cool, dark place; using the refrigerator is not necessary. To preserve for the winter, they are frozen or canned.

Cherry tomatoes in cooking

Thanks to its beneficial properties, cherry tomatoes are used to prepare dishes from around the world. They are used as the main ingredient in salads (Greek, Caesar, vegetable with arugula, etc.), added to pizza, casseroles, and made into sauces.

Cherries are quite easy to pickle. Sun-dried tomatoes, which are very popular in Italy and France, are prepared only from this variety. Dried Cherries are used as a spice.

The most unusual preparation option is candied fruits (a dessert made from tomatoes). The vegetable perfectly complements the taste of dishes, regardless of the cooking method.

Analogs and similar products

In terms of antioxidant content, vegetables such as pumpkin, eggplant, red pepper, carrots, and beets are comparable to cherry tomatoes. Pumpkin has a similar vitamin composition, low calorie content, speeds up metabolism, and is included in the diet, like tomatoes. However, their taste characteristics differ.

Eggplant is as healthy as a tomato: it cleanses the intestines of toxins, regulates water balance, and reduces cholesterol.

Large varieties of tomatoes are similar in composition and vitamin complex to cherry tomatoes, but the content of useful components in them is half as much.

All seasonal vegetables are rich in vitamins, so don't stop at just one. For the body to function properly, all vegetables without exception must be present in the diet.

Conclusion

Based on the description of the composition and beneficial properties of cherry tomatoes, there is no doubt that this is an indispensable product in the diet. The dietary vegetable promotes weight loss and cleansing of the body, and helps in the prevention of a wide range of diseases. It is also considered an excellent anti-aging component of face masks.

Cherry tomatoes have also found use in cooking as an ingredient in salads, sauces and even desserts.