The humble tomato is a versatile vegetable (although technically a fruit) which is also very nutritious. There are many different types, ranging from tiny cherry tomatoes, through plum (roma) tomatoes, to the common tomato, which are conveniently available all year round.
Nutrition information
Tomatoes contain fibre, vitamin A and vitamin C. They also contain a substance called lycopene, a natural carotenoid which our bodies cannot produce, and so must be obtained from food.
Lycopene gives tomatoes their characteristic red colour and functions as a powerful antioxidant. Antioxidants protect against cell damage from free radicals. Lycopene is one of the most powerful antioxidants found in food, and considerable research is being done into its health benefits. The strongest scientific evidence for the beneficial role of lycopene is in prevention of prostate cancer.
Load up on lycopene
Whilst tomatoes are rich in lycopene, cooking and processing further stimulates and concentrates lycopene content. The most concentrated food source of lycopene is actually tomato paste. This is good news for those who don’t relish the idea of chomping their way through a crate of raw tomatoes!
