by Tomato Wellness | May 15, 2021 | Food and Nutrition
We all know that vegetables are good for our short AND long-term health, but many times choosing the healthier option over junk food can be a challenge. This is where tomatoes come in to play! Learn more about tomato consumption in the US and how Americans can eat more of this produce item to benefit health.
As we all know, the American diet can use a little help. It’s challenging to genuinely enjoy eating healthy, especially when we are constantly surrounded by junk foods that are both convenient and affordable. However, the constant consumption of unhealthy, processed foods simply because they are the “easier” option can greatly impair your health. Now you’re stuck in a limbo between wanting to eat healthy and not being the biggest fan of vegetables, so what’s one thing should you do to improve your health? Eat canned tomatoes!
Did you know that tomatoes comprise 19% of ALL vegetable consumption? There are very few vegetables that Americans consider to be their favorite, but studies have shown that tomatoes are actually ranked at the top of everyone’s list (only second to potatoes). This is great news for us because not only are tomatoes nutrient-rich, but they are absolutely delicious in various dishes, such as pastas, sandwiches, lasagnas, salads, stews, and more! A recent study that provided results from “What We Eat in America” (a diet survey) found that most tomatoes were consumed as tomato products—canned, diced, paste, and soup. These canned goods are widely available and extremely affordable, which should be an incentive for purchasing them on your next grocery trip. Understanding that eating healthy foods helps to boost overall health, it’s important for healthcare providers, specifically registered dietitians and nutrition coaches, to stray away from forcing consumers to eat more vegetables, and instead they must educate consumers on how to incorporate more of their favorite vegetables into their diet so that they genuinely enjoy the foods they eat.
So next time you’re thinking about what vegetable to add to your dish, remind yourself about the flavorful, nutrient-packed red tomato and grab a can or two on your next grocery run. Once you gather your tomato products you can whip up a variety of tomato-based recipes. To ensure that you never get bored with incorporating tomatoes into your dishes, you can always switch up the vegetables, protein, seasonings, and grains in your meals so that you are consuming a wide range of dishes. These practical, simple strategies to eat more tomatoes have been shown to help individuals eat their vegetables and obtain the required nutrients they need to live a healthy lifestyle!
For other tomato news, check out:
Top 11 Reasons to Go Red with Tomato Products
Can Tomatoes Help Your Kid Eat More Veggies?
What is Lycopene?
Health Connection Between Tomatoes and Lycopene
by Tomato Wellness | May 10, 2021 | Food and Nutrition
What role do tomatoes play in the American diet? They’re one of the most nutrient-packed foods that can easily be integrated into any of your favorite dishes! Keep reading to learn more about how to use tomatoes as a functional food.
Did you know that tomatoes are the 4th most commonly consumed fresh AND canned vegetable in the American diet? Other than a few other vegetables, such as onions, lettuce, and potatoes, tomatoes play an integral role in the recipes we make in our kitchens, eat at restaurants, and order for take-out. Tomatoes come in numerous sources— diced, canned, sauce, paste, and juice. This is great news because tomato products contain a ton of important nutrients our bodies need to function properly and achieve optimal health. Some of these include vitamins A, C, and E, potassium, antioxidants, and folate. They also contain an important carotenoid called lycopene, which contains phytochemicals that help to fight and reduce risk of certain diseases and cancers.
American tomato-lovers consume approximately 17.9 pounds of fresh tomatoes and 68.7 pounds of tomato products each year. This study provides evidence-based research that shows tomatoes are considered a functional food, meaning they have numerous health benefits that help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer and cardiovascular diseases, contain numerous micronutrients, are jam-packed with phytochemicals, and more! Unfortunately, cardiovascular diseases have caused more deaths in females than males while prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in men. Given these statistics, it’s assumed that these common types of cancers and diseases have increased mortality rates in the general population, making them a large threat to the lives of many. With advanced research and studies on discovering the correlation between tomato consumption and reduced risks of diseases, researchers have been able to identify that tomato products can have a positive impact on peoples’ lives—especially those in high risk categories, such as older men and women.
So what are you waiting for? It’s time to whip up a delicious tomato-based recipe that you can make, share, and enjoy with friends and family. Creating meals with tomato products is just as easy to make as it is to eat. Not only are these meals packed with antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer abilities, they are full of flavor that will have you wanting more!
For other tomato news, check out:
Top 11 Reasons to Go Red with Tomato Products
Can Tomatoes Help Your Kid Eat More Veggies?
What is Lycopene?
Health Connection Between Tomatoes and Lycopene
by Tomato Wellness | Apr 23, 2021 | News
Want to boost your nutrient intake while enjoying a delicious bowl of pasta? Well, you’re in luck! An increasing amount of research has shown that the consumption of canned tomatoes is the perfect opportunity to eat a scrumptious meal while incorporating the daily recommended vitamins and minerals to fuel your body. Read on to find out more about the health-promoting effects of tomatoes, a vibrant red fruit that is loved by many.
Eating well-balanced, plant-powered meals everyday can be challenging, especially if you are constantly on the go. If you are looking for ways to cook easy, nutrient-packed meals for you and your family to enjoy, yet might be lacking the time and energy to do so, we have the inside scoop for you—invest in canned tomato products! By doing so, you will be able to whip up home-made, tomato-based recipes in under 30 minutes, and who doesn’t want that?
The increase in tomato products around the world isn’t just a coincidence. In fact, the incorporation of canned tomato products in various recipes is an affordable, accessible, and sustainable option, which is why everyone is raving about canned tomatoes. Not only is there a massive amount of tomato production each year, but canned tomatoes also offer a great source of nutrients for the human body. This research study focuses on the bioactive compounds and health-promoting effects of tomatoes that make them incredibly effective and enhance quality of life. One of the many important components found in tomatoes includes lycopene, which has been shown to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-cancer properties. Research studies provide sufficient evidence to suggest that tomatoes are powerful fruits, offering a ton of vitamins and minerals for our body’s to function properly. In fact, these nutrient-packed fruits have the power to prevent chronic noncommunicable diseases, such as obesity, coronary heart disease, hypertension, and diabetes.
When comprehending all this information about the benefits of canned tomatoes, it’s safe to say that canned tomatoes should be a staple in your pantry. Not only do they have the power to improve your long-term health, but they are incredibly versatile and easy to incorporate into numerous dishes!
by Tomato Wellness | Mar 28, 2021 | Health
Can you really improve sleep quality with tomatoes? New research is emerging that shows you can get better shut-eye by consuming tomatoes! Read on for how you can improve your sleep habits.
Busy lifestyles, lengthy to-do lists, and hectic work schedules can really put a damper on your sleep habits. Feeling overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed may contribute to sleep deprivation, which can result in negative impacts towards overall mental, emotional, and physical health. So, what can you do to improve your sleep quality?
Researchers feel that consuming certain tomato products may contribute to better sleep! This study from The Clinical Nutrition Journal showed that tomatoes can accelerate urinary aMT6s levels in obese postmenopausal women and improve the quality of their sleep. The method of this study included the observation of how beefsteak tomato, black tomato, and commercial tomato juices relate to the impacts that melatonin has on the human body. The results of the study showed that the beefsteak tomato had the highest amount of melatonin, which made it the most effective in regards to sleep quality. This randomized controlled dietary intervention trial took place in the span of 8 weeks and consisted of 36 participants. Within this group of individuals, some were placed into the “tomato group” while others were not. For 8 weeks, the tomato group consumed 250 grams of beefsteak tomatoes approximately 2 hours before they went to sleep. After the 8 weeks were completed, urine and blood samples were collected in order to determine the outcome of the study through valid and accurate data. The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) of the tomato group who consumed the beefsteak tomatoes prior to sleep improved their aMT6s level and sleep quality. In comparison to the control group, the tomato group was significantly higher in these levels, suggesting that the ingestion of tomato can provide natural melatonin to the body for obese postmenopausal women seeking better quality of sleep.
So, why not consume more tomato products this week before bedtime? A couple of hours before you turn in for the night, eat a delicious meal full of tomato products; this will give melatonin time to circulate throughout your body and improve your sleep quality. You may be surprised at the results!
For other tomato news, check out:
Top 11 Reasons to Go Red with Tomato Products
Can Tomatoes Help Your Kid Eat More Veggies?
What is Lycopene?
Health Connection Between Tomatoes and Lycopene
by Tomato Wellness | Mar 4, 2021 | Health, News
Did you know that you can seriously reduce your odds of getting cancer by what you put on your plate? You can help fight off this devastating disease by loading your plate with disease-fighting plant foods that are rich in a rainbow of phytochemicals which can provide anti-cancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities in every bite. Tomatoes are one food that will help lower cancer risk, as lycopene has been shown to be inversely related to cancer mortality.
In a study written by Cambridge Press University, researchers reviewed the correlation between tomato and lycopene consumption and cancer mortality in a prospective demographic cohort. With the help of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 1999-2010, the study was able to be conducted successfully and thoroughly. The participants of this study included individuals who consumed tomato and lycopene products in order to determine how the intake of these foods can improve health and reduce cancers risks. With this being said, other factors that may have contributed to decreased longevity of one’s lifespan were taken into consideration so that the data was accurate. The results of the study showed that tomato and lycopene consumption were inversely related to cancer mortality. However, the study suggests that there was no apparent evidence that supported the impact of tomato when comparing older versus younger adults and obese versus non-obese individuals. This enables us to conclude that age and weight were not a contributing factor to the results of this study. Additionally, the results provide sufficient evidence that tomato consumption may have potential benefits in terms of cancer risk reduction.
Other studies have also shown that increased tomato consumption, whether it’s canned or fresh, can reduce prostate cancer in men, decrease cardiovascular diseases, and enhance nutritional value in your daily diet. Thus, canned tomatoes should be a staple in your diet because they are not only nutritious, but they are affordable, easily accessible, delicious, and versatile as well! So the next time you’re at the grocery store, grab yourself some canned tomatoes. They can be incorporated into pastas, pizzas, stews, curries, and more!
For other tomato news, check out:
Top 11 Reasons to Go Red with Tomato Products
Can Tomatoes Help Your Kid Eat More Veggies?
What is Lycopene?
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