Do you love Shakshuka? Then you’re sure to fall head over heels for these Shakshuka Pita Pizzas. These personal pizzas are topped with fresh spinach, eggs, feta cheese, and–of course–the classic melty egg. With flavors like this, what’s not to love? Plus, this vegetarian dish is a complete meal thanks to the protein, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy fats—making it a well-balanced dinner that your whole family will love. It also includes a bounty of lycopene from the crushed tomatoes and tomato paste.
There are many delicious components to this dish, but the canned tomato products are some of the main stand-out ingredients, as they are easy-to-use and contribute to the classic Shakshuka flavors. Plus they are also great for your health! Canned tomatoes have a plethora of antioxidants that play an integral role in the reduction of certain types of diseases and cancers. They are also great if you’re looking to increase your intake of vegetables that have the potential to boost your overall health.
Get the full recipe for Shakshuka Pita Pizzas from Ellie Krieger, RDN.
Antioxidants are powerful protective nutrients that can be found in certain foods, such as canned tomatoes. Disease prevention and improved health are only some of the many benefits, so keep reading to learn more about how you can prevent chronic disease with antioxidants.
Over the past 30 years, there has been an increasing amount of research with the correlation between nutrition and chronic disease prevention. Some of the most prominent health problems are cardiovascular disease and stomach, colon, breast, prostate, ovary, and endometrium cancer, but studies have shown certain foods (such as fruits, vegetables, and tea) have the capability to halt the development of these diseases [1].
Even though we all know that fruits and vegetables can boost your health, how can they prevent chronic disease? The answer lays in their antioxidant content. When cardiovascular disease and cancer take form in the body, abnormal oxidative processes take place, which lead to the formation of hydroxy radicals and peroxy compounds [1]. Antioxidants are important to prevent these diseases because they can work against oxidative processes and delay the onset of disease [1]. Some produce items that are rich in antioxidants include: broccoli, spinach, carrots, potatoes, artichokes, cabbage, asparagus, avocados, beetroot, radish, lettuce, sweet potatoes, squash, pumpkin, collard greens and kale.
Lycopene is another antioxidant that is found abundantly in canned tomatoes. Heating tomatoes during the cooking process increases the body’s ability to absorb lycopene, which in turn makes them even more powerful at protecting against disease. Lycopene also plays an integral role in the improvement of heart health, protection from the sun, and reduction in certain types of cancer [1].
If you want to better your health and prevent chronic disease, give canned tomato products a try. So, the next time you are in the grocery store, pick up a few cans of tomatoes and try out some new recipes! Your body will thank you for it.
Check out some delicious recipes featuring canned tomatoes:
Weisburger, J. H. (1998). Evaluation of the evidence on the role of Tomato Products in disease prevention.Experimental Biology and Medicine,218(2), 140–143. https://doi.org/10.3181/00379727-218-44281
Have you hopped on the cauliflower rice trend yet? If not, then you should give this Mexican Cauliflower Rice a try! It’s a veggie-packed option for a family-friendly side dish that may become a new favorite on your menu rotation. Thanks to the magic of cauliflower rice, this recipe is filled with fiber while still being low in carbs. Plus, it’s easy to make, since you can get it on the table in under 30 minutes!!
Mexican Cauliflower Rice is a great side dish to accompany any weeknight dinner, as it’s packed with nutritious vegetables and tomato products to give your health a boost. Using canned tomatoes is a great way to add cancer fighting antioxidants (such as lycopene) to your meals. Lycopene is more bioavailable in canned tomatoes than in fresh, and has been shown in studies to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and heart disease. So, the next time you are shopping, be sure to pick up a couple cans of tomatoes to use in the kitchen!
Get the full recipe for Mexican “Rice” by visiting our friends at Red Gold Tomatoes.
For other delicious recipes, check out some of our favorites:
Have you ever wondered why canned tomatoes are so popular? Not only are they delicious, but it’s also a great way to reduce your risk of cancer. From affordability to versatility, learn more about why tomatoes are the #1 canned food in America!
Did you know that tomatoes are the most frequently consumed canned vegetable, and fourth most frequently consumed fresh vegetable in the USA? [1] There are many reasons why canned tomatoes are so popular, as they are affordable, delicious, shelf stable, and extremely versatile! Additionally, they pack a powerful nutrition punch when compared to than their fresh counterparts, as studies have shown that canned tomatoes can reduce the risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular disease (CVD).
There is emerging research showing the connection between tomato consumption and reduced risk for cardiovascular diseases and prostate cancer [1]. Prostate cancer is the most newly frequently diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer death in men. According to the American Cancer Society, there are nearly 250,000 new cases of prostate cancer in the U.S. each year, resulting in more than 34,000 deaths [1]. A body of evidence supporting the benefits of tomatoes for reducing the risk of prostate cancer has mounted over the past several years, and research shows the promise of tomato consumption on prostate cancer protection.
Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death in the USA, with over 70 million Americans having some form of it [1]. While more research is needed to determine the exact mechanisms in which a healthy diet delays the onset of CVD and prostate cancer, there is promising evidence supporting a diet rich in antioxidants (specifically from canned tomatoes) [1]. This could be due to the bioactive compounds found in tomatoes, as they activate the health benefits associated with these products, and result in an advantageous outcome on platelet aggregation. Recent 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).
Making healthy meals doesn’t have to be time consuming or complicated. That’s why canned tomatoes are the #1 canned food in America, as you can use them to get dinner on the table in no time…all while boosting your health and saving money! No matter what type of cuisine you enjoy, you can incorporate canned tomatoes into almost any dish for added flavor and health.
1.Canene-Adams, K., Campbell, J. K., Zaripheh, S., Jeffery, E. H., & Erdman, J. W. (2005). The Tomato as a functional food. The Journal of Nutrition, 135(5), 1226–1230. https://doi.org/10.1093/jn/135.5.1226
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:
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
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