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10 Reasons You Should Be Eating Tomatoes Every Day

You say tomato, I say amazing.

This delicious and sweet fruit (that most people treat like a veggie) is one of the most versatile staples found in cuisines all across the world.

And I have to admit: I never really appreciated tomatoes until I started traveling.

My first eye-opening tomato experience happened in the mecca of tomatoes, which most people just refer to as the beautiful country of Italy. I swear the tomatoes there are unlike anything you’ve ever had; they’re literally bursting with flavor.

So I got my hands on every tomato I could find when I returned back home. I was reborn as a tomato fanatic.

From the strange looking, but mega tasty heirloom tomatoes to the poppable cherry tomatoes that make perfect snacks, this super nutrient-dense red fruit should definitely be on your radar.

So here’s 11 reasons why you should be eating tomatoes every day.

1. Lycopene: A Strong Antioxidant

cooked tomatoes Lycopene

If you ask someone to describe the health benefits of tomato, a discussion about lycopene is likely to follow.

Lycopene’s a carotenoid with antioxidant properties that’s responsible for making tomatoes their signature red color. It’s believed to have the strongest antioxidant activity of all the carotenoids.

The deeper the color of your tomato, the higher the lycopene concentration.

Besides fighting free radicals, lycopene has been linked to:

Lower cholesterol
Improved immune function
Fewer blood clots
Preventing artery hardening
Decreased risks of stroke
Now in order to enjoy a larger increase in lycopene, you actually have to cook tomatoes or opt for processed versions of tomato such as tomato juice, sauce, and paste.

Cooking breaks down the tomato cell walls so our bodies can use all the goodness inside them.

One slice of raw tomato contains around 515 micrograms of lycopene. But two tablespoons of tomato paste contains 13,800 micrograms of lycopene. Big difference!

1. Are You Getting Enough Carotenoids?

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