Do canned tomatoes prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

Do canned tomatoes prevent Alzheimer’s disease?

by | Oct 5, 2021 | News

Aging causes a decrease in cognitive decline, but you may be able to stave off the effects based on what you eat. A decline in cognitive function (such as Alzheimer’s disease) may be prevented through good nutrition, so read on to learn more about how canned tomatoes play a role in brain health.

It’s no secret that with aging comes a decrease in cognitive function. Alzheimer’s disease is one of the leading causes of dementia, and comes loss of memory, language, problem-solving and other skills related to critical thinking [1]. However, did you know that it is possible to prevent cognitive decline with a healthy diet? 

Without protection, the aging process can bring on free radicals and inflammation that wreak havoc and can even lead to diseases such as dementia [1]. However, certain properties within food can provide a protective effect to our cells, as antioxidant phytochemicals can remove free radicals and reduce inflammation within the body. One of these powerful antioxidants is lycopene, which is found in tomatoes. Studies have shown that low levels of lycopene within the body can leave you at a greater risk for disease, which is why eating foods rich in this antioxidant is beneficial for health. Researchers are also currently studying the specific effects that lycopene has on cognitive function, as there have been associations between lower circulating lycopene and higher rates of Alzheimer’s disease mortality [1].

While lycopene can be found in any type of tomato, it is particularly concentrated in canned tomato products. When tomatoes go through the canning process, they are heated, which increases the body’s ability to absorb lycopene.

Including canned tomatoes in your weekly recipes is a great way to promote good healthy and protect your body from signs of aging. So, what are you waiting for? Enjoy all the flavors and health benefits that canned tomatoes have to offer by trying some delicious new recipes.

Check out some delicious recipes featuring canned tomatoes:

Pan Seared Pork Chops with Bourbon Peach Compote
Easy Chicken Curry
Pizza Stuffed Chicken
The BEST BLT Dip

  1. Crowe-White, K. M., Phillips, T. A., & Ellis, A. C. (2019). Lycopene and cognitive function.Journal of Nutritional Science, 8. https://doi.org/10.1017/jns.2019.16  
Santa Fe Chicken Soup

Santa Fe Chicken Soup

by | Oct 4, 2021 | Media Recipe

Calling all soup lovers! A warm bowl of soup is sometimes just the trick for an easy, satisfying meal. That’s why this Santa Fe Chicken Soup is one you should try out this season. FIlled with whole grains, legumes, lean protein, and veggies, you can have a perfectly balanced meal on the table in under 30 minutes. 

This recipe is a great way to utilize pantry staples like canned and dried goods, as these ingredients are shelf stable and affordable. Canned tomatoes are one of these canned goods that are easy to use while being extremely nutritious, which is why adding them to soups is a simple way to boost the nutrition content. 

Thanks to the reduced sodium diced tomatoes, this recipe is lower in sodium than the typical canned kind, which makes it a heart healthy option. And, since canned tomato products are rich in lycopene, they also contribute to a reduced risk of cardiovascular diease, as research shows that tomato products play an important role in preventing platelet aggregation (i.e. reducing the amount of blood clots that can lead to cardiovascular diseases). Additionally, tomato products can improve cholesterol by improving lipid profiles, as studies have found that consumption has lead to a significant decrease in cholesterol and triglyceride levels, as well as body weight and fat percentage.

So, what are you waiting for? Cozy up to this delicious soup for those chilly fall and winter nights.

Get the full recipe for Santa Fe Chicken Soup by visiting our friends at Fruits and Veggies.

For other delicious soup recipes, check out some of our favorites:

California Walnut Firehouse Chili
Creamy Tomato Soup with Popcorn
Fideo Soup