Tomatoes are one of the naturally available fruits that are commonly thought of as a vegetable. Tomatoes are used in each and every culture as food. It can be eaten either after being cooked or even when it is raw. The use of tomato in the food is due to the various health benefits that it offers.
Some of the health benefits of eating tomato are presented below in this article.
1. Antioxidant: Tomato is a natural food that contains Antioxidants. These anti oxidants help in clearing off the free radicals. The free radicals can cause various health problems in the body. The Lycopene present in the tomatoes help in decreasing the free radicals. The red colour in the tomato is also due to the lycopene. The anti oxidant effect of the lycopene in tomato also can help in preventing cancer. Prostrate, cervical and oral cancers can be prevented to an extent by regular use of tomatoes.
2. Skin: Tomatoes are eaten for their usefulness in increasing the lustre of the skin. It helps to make the skin look beautiful. Tomatoes can help in treating acne. If a slice of tomato is sliced and rubbed on the skin, left for a few minutes and washed, it will help in reducing acne.
3. Anti-haemorrhagic: Tomatoes contain Vitamin K. These vitamins have anti-haemorrhagic properties. Thus tomatoes have anti haemorrhagic properties.
HAEMORRHAGIC: Bleeding, technically known as hemorrhaging or haemorrhaging (see American and British spelling differences) is the loss of blood or blood escape from the circulatory system.[1] Bleeding can occur internally, where blood leaks from blood vessels inside the body or externally, either through a natural opening such as the vagina, mouth, nose, ear or anus, or through a break in the skin. The complete loss of blood is referred to as exsanguination,[2] and desanguination is a massive blood loss. Typically, a healthy person can endure a loss of 10-15% of the total blood volume without serious medical difficulties, and blood donation typically takes 8-10% of the donor's blood volume.
Vitamin K functions, uses, and health benefits
Vitamin K plays an important role in blood clotting and bone metabolism (carboxylation of osteocalcin). High serum concentrations of undercarboxylated osteocalcin and low serum concentrations of vitamin K are associated with lower bone mineral density and increased risk of hip fracture. Vitamin K supplements may improve bone mass in postmenopausal women. Vitamin K prevents calcification of arteries and other soft tissue. Calcification of organs and other soft tissue is an adverse consequence of aging. Vitamin K may play a role in the regulation of blood sugar. The pancreas, which makes insulin, has the second highest amount of vitamin K in the body.
Vitamin K and blood clotting - Vitamin K's primary function is to regulate normal blood clotting (due to its role in the synthesis of prothrombin). Blood clotting is a process that begins automatically when any injury produces a tear in a blood vessel. The process of blood clotting involves a collection of molecules, which circulate continuously through the bloodstream. Vitamin K regulates normal blood clotting by helping the body transport calcium. Protein Z appears to enhance the action of thrombin (the activated form of prothrombin) by promoting its association with phospholipids in cell membranes. Protein C and protein S are anticoagulant proteins that provide control and balance in the coagulation cascade. Vitamin K2, not vitamin K1 (phylloquinone; phytonadione), may improve a group of blood disorders known as myelodysplastic syndromes.
Vitamin K and bone health - Vitamin K supplements improve bone health and reduce risk of bone fractures, particularly in postmenopausal women who are at risk for osteoporosis. Three vitamin-K dependent proteins have been isolated in bone. Higher vitamin K levels correspond to greater bone density, while low levels of vitamin K have been found in those with osteoporosis. In bones, vitamin K mediates the gamma-carboxylation of glutamyl residues on several bone proteins, notably osteocalcin. Osteocalcin is a protein synthesized by osteoblasts (bone forming cells). The mineral-binding capacity of osteocalcin requires vitamin K-dependent gamma-carboxylation of three glutamic acid residues.
Vitamin K and liver diseases - Vitamin K is used to reduce risk of bleeding in liver disease, jaundice, malabsorption, or in association with long-term use of aspirin or antibiotics. Gastrointestinal problems that decrease the absorption of vitamin K, such as obstructions in the bile duct, cystic fibrosis, sprue, Crohn's disease, colitis and medications that reduce the absorption of this vitamin, such as antibiotics. Vitamin K deficiency in those with cystic fibrosis is worsened by their recurrent need for antibiotics. Vitamin K has been used in the treatment of heavy menstrual bleeding, and with vitamin C to treat morning sickness. Newborns are at risk for bleeding in the brain because of the trauma of coming through the birth canal during delivery.
4. Tomatoes can also be used in decreasing the chance of heart diseases and cerebro vascular accidents by maintaining the cholesterol levels in the body.
5. Liver: Tomatoes are helpful in decreasing congestion of the liver. This property of tomatoes helps in preventing cirrhosis of the liver. Liver cirrhosis is actually a common problem in chronic hepatitis. It is also seen in alcoholics.
6. Blood: Tomatoes help in purifying the blood which is also a major health benefit obtained by eating tomatoes.
7. Contents: Tomatoes contain various Vitamins and minerals in various amounts. The Vitamins that can be found in tomatoes are Vitamins A,B,C and K. Tomatoes also contain Phosphorous, Calcium, Potassium and Iron.
8. Tomatoes can also be used to prevent and treat infections because of its antiseptic properties.
These are some of the major health benefits that can be got from eating tomatoes. Just like an apple a day is good for health, a tomato a day will also keep a person healthy. Tomatoes have one advantage that they can be eaten raw, just like any other fruit. It can also be cooked by adding it to various food preparations.
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