What You Need To Know About Tomatoes And Cancer

Tomatoes are considered both fruits and vegetables and form an integral part of our daily diets. It is the world's most popular fruit. Tomatoes are vegetables and are found in almost every region of the earth.  The scientific name of tomatoes is Solanum  lycopersicum. They can be eaten raw, or cooked. You can find tomatoes in countless different foods. They have high acid content which makes them a suitable food for canning.

Image courtesy of foto76 at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

One medium whole tomato contains:
* 22 calories
* 0 grams of fat

* 5 grams of carbohydrates

* 3 grams of sugar

* 1 gram of dietary fiber

* 1 gram of protein

* 6 milligrams of sodium

Tomatoes  and tomato products can make a person healthier and decrease the risk of developing certain types of cancer. Tomato contains large amount of lycopene, an antioxidant that is highly effective in eliminating cancer causing free radicals. Lycopene  have be proven to be particularly effective in fighting cervical cancer, prostate cancer, cancer of the stomach,  lung, and rectum as well as pharynx and esophageal cancers. It also protects against breast cancer and cancer of the mouth.

Processed tomatoes contain even more lycopene than raw ones.  For you to get the full healthy effect of lycopene in tomatoes you need to cooked or heat processed.  The process of cooking breaks down the cell walls, helping to release the lycopene. Eating tomatoes with a little bit of fat, such as olive oil, helps lycopene to be better absorbed by the body. So now is the time to include tomatoes in food and stay healthy!